ISLAMABAD, Sept. 23 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left for New York on Tuesday to attend the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, ignoring protests against his government, officials said.

Sharif canceled his visit to Turkey and the UK earlier this month over protest sit-in in Islamabad by two opposition leaders. Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and Tahir ul Qadri of Pakistan Wami Tehrik are demanding resignation of the Prime Minister and fresh polls. Sharif has rejected his resignation calls.

At least three foreign leaders also postponed their planned visits to Pakistan because of the political crisis.

Several thousand protesters have camped in the capital over the past nearly five weeks and their leaders say the protest will continue until the Prime Minister resigns.

Nawaz Sharif, however, ignored the sit-ins and left for New York to head Pakistani delegation in the General Assembly session starting on Tuesday.

The foreign ministry says the prime minister will address the General Assembly on September 26.

During his stay, he will also co-chair U.N. Peacekeeping Summit along with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and a few other world leaders.

On the sidelines of the United National General Assembly, the prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with many world leaders. He will also meet U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

Officials earlier reported that in his speech, the prime minister is expected to focus on cooperation-based relationship with the neighboring countries. Pakistan's ties with India and Afghanistan will be given special importance in the speech.

On the side-lines of the U.N. General Assembly session, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will participate in an energy conference also to be attended by the premiers of Norway and Denmark.

The conference will explore ways to acquire energy through non- conventional sources.

The prime minister along with the U.S. vice president and Japanese prime minister will co-chair a peace conference. The conference will review cooperation among international peaceful friends.

Sharif will also participate in a meeting on reforms in the United Nations. He will underline the need for harmonizing the U.N. Security Council with the new global demands.