RAWALPINDI: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to international peace and security and appreciated the country’s efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.
UN chief Guterres made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.
The UN Secretary-General is on an official visit to Pakistan from October 6 to 8.
During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and the United Nations’ role in promoting international peace and security.
The two sides exchanged views on regional stability, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India’s abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty and terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and highlighted its contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.
He also lauded the United Nations’ role under the leadership of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in advancing peace, stability and humanitarian cooperation.
The UN Secretary-General paid tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of Pakistan and its Armed Forces in the war against terror and in UN peacekeeping missions.
Pakistan has remained a major contributor to UN peace operations, with its armed forces playing a longstanding role in peacekeeping missions aimed at maintaining peace and protecting civilians in conflict-affected regions.
The meeting comes during Guterres’ official visit to Pakistan, where his engagements have placed considerable focus on the country’s role in diplomacy, multilateralism, peacekeeping and humanitarian action.
During his visit, the UN chief has described Pakistan as a country that can contribute to international solutions, praising its diplomatic efforts and its role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation. He has also highlighted Pakistan’s decades-long hosting of millions of Afghan refugees and its contributions to UN peacekeeping.
Pakistan has continued its emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy to address regional conflicts and disputes. Pakistan has in recent months played an active role in promoting de-escalation and peaceful settlement of conflicts, including through its facilitation of talks between the United States and Iran.
The UN Secretary-General has welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts, describing the Islamabad Talks between the US and Iran as a positive step towards renewed dialogue and calling for continued diplomatic engagement.
