ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to international peace and security, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation for regional and global peace.
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the UN chief lauded Pakistan’s “pivotal role” in mediating between the United States and Iran. He called on the parties to end the conflict and return to diplomacy.
#Breaking Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hold joint presser. @ForeignOfficePk @MIshaqDar50 @antonioguterres @UN_News_Centre @UNinPak @UN #IshaqDar #AntónioGuterres #Pakistan #UnitedNations #PakistanTV https://t.co/Ipnl8AAebI
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) October 6, 2026
“Pakistan’s spirit of engagement is front and centre on issues of international peace and security. I salute Pakistan’s leadership for helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the US and Iran and mediating that conflict,” Guterres said.
The UN chief said that Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts and mediation resulted in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran and a subsequent ceasefire and the framework for future talks.
“Your efforts helped deliver the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework for future negotiations. Every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role,” he said.
“And from Islamabad, I want to send a loud and clear message to all parties: end the conflict, return to diplomacy and restore navigational rights in accordance with international law. There will never be peace in the region until the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people is recognised, as Pakistan has long championed,” Guterres said.
Pakistan on Front Lines of Climate Crisis
Guterres said Pakistan remains on the front lines of the climate crisis despite its small share of global emissions, commending the country’s role in the global climate response, including the Loss and Damage Fund.
The UN chief said leadership by vulnerable developing countries cannot substitute for the responsibility of major emitters, noting that G20 countries account for around 80% of global emissions.
Guterres also called for drastic emissions cuts this decade to combat climate change.
Palestinian Right to Self-Determination
The UN Secretary-General said lasting regional peace is impossible without the Palestinian right to self-determination.
He highlighted the sacrifices of more than 170 Pakistani peacekeepers in the service of peace and commended Pakistan’s role in advancing UN Security Council Resolution 2813, co-sponsored by 150 countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy PM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its longstanding and close cooperation with the United Nations.
He said detailed discussions were held on global and regional issues, including Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir and Afghanistan, as well as sustainable development, climate change and the future of multilateralism.
Use of Afghan Soil for Terrorist Attacks Against Pakistan
Guterres acknowledged the immense suffering Pakistan has endured due to terrorism and reaffirmed UN solidarity with Pakistan in confronting terrorism.
The Deputy PM highlighted Pakistan’s concern over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with the UN to advance the principles of the UN Charter.
Deputy PM Dar highlighted India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, calling it a blatant violation of international law. He said India must stop weaponising water and fulfil its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Dar said UN reforms must strengthen the organisation’s ability to deliver on its mandates. He welcomed the UN’s consistent position on Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmation of the UN framework.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s initiative on UNSC Resolution 2788 promoting multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s proactive role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation in the Gulf region, stressing the importance of cooperation over confrontation and dialogue over conflict.
Dar and Guterres Discuss Regional, Global Peace
Earlier in the day, Deputy PM Dar held a meeting with the UN chief, with the two discussing regional and global issues relating to peace and security, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
The discussions covered Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the future of multilateralism.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met UN Secretary-General António Guterres @antonioguterres in Islamabad. Discussions covered regional and global issues relating to peace and security, including Palestine, Jammu & Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, and the future of multilateralism. DPM/FM briefed the UNSG on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu & Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, reaffirming Pakistan’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions. DPM/FM highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad Talks between the US and Iran. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes. The UNSG appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the UN, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation, and de-escalation.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 6, 2026
Deputy PM Dar briefed the UN Secretary-General on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), reaffirming Islamabad’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad talks between the US and Iran. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes.
The UN chief appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the UN, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation, the Foreign Office said.
UN Chief in Islamabad
UN chief Guterres arrived in Islamabad in the early hours of Tuesday for a two-day official visit.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said the UN chief was visiting Pakistan from October 6 to 8 at the invitation of Deputy PM Dar.
“Upon arrival, the secretary-general was received by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir,” the Foreign Office said.
UN Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres arrived in Islamabad today to undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 6–8 October 2026, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Upon arrival, the Secretary-General was received by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 5, 2026
The visit comes as Guterres’ 10-year tenure as UN chief is set to end on December 31. During the visit, Guterres will also meet Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Foreign Office said on Monday.
The UN chief is also scheduled to visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and attend a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters.
In its Monday statement, the Foreign Office said that during Guterres’ visit, Pakistan’s “efforts towards strengthening multilateralism and international peace and security, as well as its strides towards disaster preparedness and early warning, will be highlighted”.
The Foreign Office stated that the visit will offer an important opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the UN and to exchange views on regional and international developments.
Prime Minister Sharif met Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month. The two discussed major regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East.
In that meeting, Guterres commended Pakistan’s role and strong voice at the UN, as well as its contribution to international peace and security. The UN chief also appreciated Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in countering terrorism.
Guterres’ first visit to Pakistan as the UN Secretary-General was in February 2020, about three years after he was elected to the position in 2016.
In recent months, two of the six candidates vying to succeed Guterres have visited Pakistan and met PM Sharif. During their separate meetings in July and September, respectively, María Fernanda Espinosa and Ambassador Olara Otunnu praised Pakistan’s role in efforts to promote.
