UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left New York for Islamabad Sunday night for a four-day trip during which he will discuss Pakistan’s mediatory role in the U.S. conflict with Iran as well as its “constructive role” in supporting negotiations between the two countries, among other matters.
UN Chief heads to Islamabad to boost Pakistan-led US-Iran peace talks
Iftikhar Ali
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 05 (APP):UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left New York for Islamabad Sunday night for a four-day trip during which he will discuss Pakistan’s mediatory role in the U.S. conflict with Iran as well as its “constructive role” in supporting negotiations between the two countries, among other matters.
During the visit –at the invitation of the Government of Pakistan — the UN chief will meet with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar as well as senior government officials.
He will also meet with President Asif Ali Zardari.
“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 while discussing the UN leader’s visit to Pakistan.”
“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.
The secretary-general has consistently praised Pakistan’s intense diplomatic efforts in the Middle East conflict, which led to the Memorandum of Understanding that established a ceasefire.
Speaking during his final press conference ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly high-level debate last month, the UN chief strongly advocated for a return to dialogue to bring a peaceful end to the war following the breakdown of the ceasefire.
Guterres is due to step down as the UN secretary-general at the end of this year after serving two five-year terms.
The Secretary-General was last in Pakistan in 2022, when the country’s vast areas were impacted by the devastating Monsoon floods. It was a solidarity visit that made a deep impression on the flood-hit people.
The UN chief will again visit the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where he will see firsthand the progress Pakistan has made in strengthening its preparedness and resilience since the floods.
In Islamabad, the Secretary-General will also visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, otherwise known as UNMOGIP, which monitors the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir.
The Secretary-General is expected to be back in New York on Thursday.
