PM Shehbaz reaches London before heading to New York for UNGA session

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in London on Thursday for a two-day stopover before travelling to the United States to attend the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

According to a source in the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier is scheduled to leave for the US on Saturday.

The prime minister is expected to return to Pakistan on September 27 or 28 after attending the UNGA session, with another brief stopover in London planned on his way back.

The PMO source said the stopover was arranged due to the lengthy journey between Pakistan and the United States.

According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 25. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the session.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with federal ministers and senior government officials, will accompany the prime minister during his New York visit.

The Foreign Office said the premier will present Pakistan’s position on regional and global developments and outline the country’s priorities at the UNGA.

The official theme of the 81st UNGA session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The general debate is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 26, with a final sitting on September 28.