ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday for a four-day visit to Pakistan, where he is due to meet the country’s top leadership and discuss regional and global issues.
During his visit, Mr Guterres is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with other senior government officials.
The Secretary-General is departing tonight, 4 October, for a previously scheduled trip to Pakistan, where he is expected to arrive on Tuesday morning.
@antonioguterres was last in Pakistan in 2022, when he visited regions impacted by the devastating floods.
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) October 5, 2026
UN Praises Pakistan
“Over the years, the Secretary-General has seen firsthand how Pakistan has stood by others, having its own people serve under the United Nations flag, and using its diplomacy and mediation to bring parties together when dialogue is most needed,” UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told APP.
“This spirit is something we have seen time and again over the years, and it is one of Pakistan’s greatest contributions to our shared world,” he added.
Mr Guterres has praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East conflict, which contributed to the Memorandum of Understanding that established a ceasefire.
During his final press conference ahead of last month’s 81st UN General Assembly high-level debate, the UN chief called for a return to dialogue to achieve a peaceful end to the conflict following the breakdown of the ceasefire.
Visit To NDMA
According to a statement by the UN, Mr Guterres last visited Pakistan in 2022, when large parts of the country were affected by monsoon floods.
The visit was described as an expression of solidarity with communities affected by the disaster.
During his current trip, he will again visit the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where he is expected to see progress made by Pakistan in strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience since the 2022 floods.
The UN secretary-general will also visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Islamabad.
The UN mission monitors the Line of Control in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region.
The visit will also be an opportunity for the Secretary-General to discuss Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, including its constructive role in supporting negotiations between the two countries.
The UN chief is expected to step down at the end of this year after completing two five-year terms as secretary-general.
