Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace in a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the military’s media affairs wing said.
The UN secretary general is currently in Islamabad on a two-day official visit.
In a statement on Wednesday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Guterres called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and the UN’s role in promoting international peace and security were discussed,” it said.
“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,” it added.
During the meeting, CDF Munir also reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and highlighted its contributions to UN peacekeeping missions”. He also lauded the UN’s role in “advancing peace, stability and humanitarian cooperation”.
According to ISPR, 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.
“He also acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to international peace and security,” ISPR said, adding that Guterres specifically appreciated “Pakistan’s efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts”.
UN chief meets PM Shehbaz
Later, the UN secretary general also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who lauded Guterres for his “principled commitment to the UN Charter, multilateralism, international law, dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes”, a statement by the PM’s Office said.
It added that the premier acknowledged the UN chief’s “outstanding contribution to international peace and security during his tenure”.
PM Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to an “effective, inclusive and representative UN, particularly at a time when multilateralism faces significant challenges”, the statement added.
Welcoming Guterres’ UN80 Initiative, he emphasised that UN reforms should be responsive to the priorities of developing countries, while strengthening conflict prevention, peaceful settlement of disputes, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
Additionally, the premier also reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping and the maintenance of international peace and security.
“The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its mediation role between the US and Iran,” the statement read, adding that PM Shehbaz reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving disputes.
PM Shehbaz also reiterated the need for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
“He highlighted that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement and that India’s unilateral decision to place it in abeyance has no legal basis,” the statement added.
Moreover, PM Shehbaz, noting that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan remains in Pakistan’s interest, expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups and terrorism emanating from Afghan territory and emphasised the need for concrete and verifiable actions against such elements.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast support for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, PM Shehbaz reiterated Islamabad’s support for the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and UNSC Resolution 2803, which endorses the end of Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
“The prime minister also underscored the need for greater access to affordable and concessional financing for developing countries to advance development and climate resilience,” the PMO stated.
According to the statement, Secretary General Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the organisation and international peace and security, including its role in UN peacekeeping and the Security Council.
“He particularly appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation, and welcomed its continued commitment to multilateralism and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” the statement read.
On the first day of his trip, the UN secretary general held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. During the meeting, Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s “longstanding contribution to the UN, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation”.
He also addressed a joint stakeout with Dar, during which he lauded Pakistan’s “pivotal role” in mediating between the United States and Iran as he called on the parties to end the conflict and return to diplomacy.
President Asif Ali Zardari also conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Guterres in recognition of his “distinguished international service, leadership of the UN and contribution to global peace and development”.
The two also held a separate meeting, where Zardari appreciated Guterres’ principled leadership, his efforts for international peace, dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as his constructive engagement with Pakistan and attention to the concerns of developing countries.
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