UN chief Guterres departs Pakistan after three-day official visit

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has departed Pakistan following a three-day official visit on Thursday, 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 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.

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 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 Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi.

The secretary-general visited the headquarters of the UN 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 a 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.