PM Shehbaz Sharif meets UN Secretary-General Guterres in Islamabad

Islamabad,Report By Muhammad Saleem
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who is visiting Pakistan, and welcomed him.
The prime minister praised the Secretary-General’s principled commitment to the UN Charter, the multilateral system, international law, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He also paid tribute to Guterres’s notable contributions to global peace and security during his tenure.
Reiterating Pakistan’s firm commitment to an effective, inclusive and representative United Nations, he said the UN’s effective role has become even more important at a time when the multilateral system faces major challenges. He welcomed the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative and stressed that UN reforms should reflect the priorities of developing countries, while conflict prevention, peaceful settlement of disputes and peacebuilding should be further strengthened.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to UN peacekeeping missions and highlighted its continued contributions to global peace and security. He also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its role in mediation between the United States and Iran. He said dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable path to resolving conflicts and preventing escalation.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, he stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He said the Indus Waters Treaty is an international agreement and that India’s unilateral decision to hold it in abeyance has no legal basis.
The prime minister also stressed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest. He expressed serious concern over terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil, calling for concrete and verifiable action against them.
He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood, as well as its support for implementing the Gaza peace plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803. He further stressed the need to give developing countries greater access to low-cost and concessional finance to promote development and climate resilience.
Secretary-General Guterres praised Pakistan’s long-standing contributions to the UN and global peace and security, including its important role in UN peacekeeping missions and its constructive engagement in the Security Council. He particularly appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation, and welcomed its continued commitment to the multilateral system and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Afterwards, the prime minister hosted a dinner in honor of the Secretary-General and his delegation.