ISLAMABAD, Oct 08 (APP):The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday concluded his three-day official visit to Pakistan from October 6 to 8, during which he held extensive engagements with Pakistan’s leadership and senior officials.
During the visit, the secretary-general met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, and the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
He reiterated Pakistan’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, besides highlighting India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, in blatant violation of international law.
Secretary-General Guterres also called on President Asif Ali Zardari which was followed by a special investiture ceremony during which the president conferred Nishan-e-Imtiaz on him in recognition of his distinguished international service and contribution to global peace and development.
The secretary-general called on the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and exchanged views on issues of regional and international importance. He also held meetings with the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as well as the Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi.
The secretary-general visited the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Islamabad and attended a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where Pakistan’s progress in disaster preparedness and early warning systems was highlighted.
He also participated as guest speaker in a special talk at the Foreign Service Academy and reflected on his longstanding association with Pakistan and highlighted the generosity, resilience, and solidarity of the Pakistani people, drawing on his two decades of service to the United Nations, including as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
