Shehbaz Sharif Leaves for UK Ahead of UN General Assembly Visit

ISLAMABAD, September 17, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for the United Kingdom ahead of onward travel to the United States, where he will lead Pakistan's delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The London stop comes before a programme of UN events and bilateral meetings in the United States. An Aaj News report reported the prime minister's departure, while Pakistan's Foreign Office separately confirmed his role at the General Assembly.

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Shehbaz would be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, other federal ministers and senior officials.

Pakistan's agenda at the United Nations

Shehbaz is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25. According to Radio Pakistan's account of the Foreign Office briefing, his speech will set out Pakistan's position on regional and global developments and stress dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The address is expected to cover sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic pressures, reform of the United Nations and challenges facing the Global South.

Pakistan also plans to draw attention to Palestine and Indian-administered Kashmir. Islamabad has repeatedly argued that unresolved conflicts should be addressed through international law, the UN Charter and established multilateral mechanisms.

The speech will take place amid continuing conflict in the Middle East and concern over maritime security and energy supplies. Pakistan has called for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions while maintaining close relations with Gulf states.

Climate vulnerability is another central issue for Pakistan. Successive floods and extreme-weather events have strengthened Islamabad's calls for accessible climate finance, support for adaptation and greater recognition of loss and damage in developing countries.

Bilateral meetings in New York

The prime minister is expected to participate in high-level events and hold meetings with world leaders, senior UN officials and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Such meetings provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations as well as security, trade, development and regional diplomacy.

Reports have also indicated that Shehbaz is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the session. Any confirmed meeting would come amid expanding Pakistan-US dialogue on economic and security issues, though the final schedule remains subject to official announcements.

The General Assembly's annual high-level week brings heads of government and foreign ministers to New York for speeches, summits and a dense programme of bilateral diplomacy. For Pakistan, it offers a platform to present its priorities to a global audience while holding meetings that can be difficult to arrange separately.

London before New York

Details of the prime minister's London engagements had not been fully disclosed at the time of departure. The UK stop is expected to precede his arrival in the United States for the UN programme.

Pakistan and the United Kingdom maintain extensive economic, diplomatic and community links. London frequently serves as a stop during Pakistani leaders' transatlantic travel, but any official meetings during this visit will require separate confirmation.

The distinction is important because the confirmed centrepiece of the trip is the UN General Assembly. The Foreign Office has publicly set out the themes of the prime minister's participation, while the detailed timetable for London and individual meetings in New York may continue to change.

Pakistan's delegation will also use the visit to coordinate with partner countries on resolutions and multilateral initiatives, work that often continues outside the leaders' formal speeches and public meetings.

Shehbaz's address will be closely watched for Pakistan's response to current conflicts, its approach to relations with major powers and its proposals on development and UN reform. The visit will also test Islamabad's ability to turn high-level diplomatic access into practical cooperation on economic and security priorities.