55 mins ago
Sharif Terrorism Remark Resurfaces Ahead of UN Address
A video of Pakistan’s prime minister speaking at the United Nations is spreading online again.
In the speech, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had stopped terrorists who might otherwise have reached cities such as New York and London.
He was trying to say that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism helped people in other countries too.
He also said Pakistan had lost many people and a great deal of money because of terrorism.
Some people online interpreted his words as admitting that terrorists had been present or controlled in Pakistan.
Sharif later blamed groups including the TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade for terrorism allegedly operating from Afghanistan.
The video is not from his upcoming 2026 speech.
It comes from his 2025 address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said terrorists stopped by Pakistan might otherwise have reached New York and London.
The widely shared clip is from Sharif’s September 26, 2025 speech to the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Sharif described Pakistan as a frontline state in global counterterrorism efforts and a “bulwark” against terrorism.
He said Pakistan had suffered more than 90,000 deaths and $150 billion in economic losses from terrorism.
Social media users called the wording an admission about terrorists in Pakistan, while Sharif blamed current threats on groups operating from Afghanistan.
- Who
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with social media users and India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
- What
- A 2025 remark by Sharif about Pakistan stopping terrorists has resurfaced online and prompted criticism and questions about its meaning.
- Where
- The original speech was delivered at the United Nations General Assembly; the remark referred to New York, London and the Far East.
- When
- The remark was made on September 26, 2025, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly; it resurfaced before Sharif’s scheduled September 25, 2026 address.
- Why
- Sharif was defending Pakistan’s counterterrorism record, while critics interpreted his wording as suggesting terrorists were present or being controlled in Pakistan.
Critics’ Interpretation
Sharif’s Defense
Meaning of “encountered by us”
Critics’ Interpretation
Social media users said the wording could imply that terrorists were present in Pakistan and being controlled, tolerated, sheltered, funded or trained there.
Sharif’s Defense
Sharif presented the phrase as evidence that Pakistan had stopped terrorists before they could threaten people in cities abroad.
Pakistan’s role in terrorism
Critics’ Interpretation
Critics, particularly in the context of Indian accusations, viewed the statement as raising questions about Pakistan’s relationship with terrorist networks.
Sharif’s Defense
Sharif said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all forms, had been on the frontline of global counterterrorism for more than two decades, and had suffered heavily from attacks.
Current sources of terrorism
Critics’ Interpretation
India’s stated position is that Pakistan has used or supported cross-border terrorism and should be held accountable for sponsors and financiers.
Sharif’s Defense
Sharif attributed Pakistan’s current problem of “externally sponsored terrorism” to groups including the TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade operating from Afghan territory.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- Original speech
- September 26, 2025, at the 80th United Nations General Assembly
- Viral remark
- Sharif said terrorists not encountered by Pakistan might have been roaming the streets of New York and London.
- Pakistan’s claimed losses
- More than 90,000 deaths and $150 billion in economic losses
- Upcoming address
- Sharif is scheduled to address the 81st United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2026.
- Groups named by Sharif
- The TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade, which he accused of operating from Afghan territory
- Indian position
- India has accused Pakistan of sponsoring or sheltering cross-border terrorist networks and has called for accountability for perpetrators, financiers and sponsors.
Quotes
An unnamed social media user
Social media user reacting to Sharif’s resurfaced remark
“Had these terrorists not been encountered by us, they would have been roaming on the streets of New York and London and God knows, Far East.”
wionews.com
“Wait… what kind of confession is this?”
wionews.com
Sources
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