UN chief praises Pakistan’s peace efforts on regional conflicts in meeting with CDF Munir

Outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Pakistan’s efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Guterres met CDF Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where the two exchanged views on “matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and the United Nations’ role in promoting international peace and security”.

“Guterres 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, specifically appreciating Pakistan’s efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts,” the statement said.

The ISPR further stated that CDF Munir and Guterres exchanged views on regional stability, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India’s abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty, and terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

“The CDF Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and highlighted its contributions to UN peacekeeping missions,” the statement said, adding that CDF Munir “also lauded the United Nations’ role under the leadership of Guterres, in advancing peace, stability and humanitarian cooperation.”

Guterres, who arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday, held a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, commending Pakistan’s leadership “in helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the United States and Iran and mediating the conflict.”

The outgoing UN chief stated, “Your efforts helped deliver the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire, and the framework for future negotiations,” adding that “every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role.”

Guterres also said that Islamabad’s contribution “has been on full display as a member of the UN Security Council these past two years.” He noted further, “At a time of growing division and mistrust around the world, Pakistan put a spotlight on the value of multilateralism, dialogue, mediation, and diplomacy. Those same values are vital within societies as well.”

Read: Guterres calls for stronger UN, global cooperation

Regarding terrorism, the secretary-general had said in his address alongside FM Dar that Pakistan had “endured immense suffering,” noting that “thousands of people lost their lives” and reaffirming that the UN stood with Islamabad “in confronting this threat of terrorism.”

According to Guterres, “Pakistan faces challenges, as all nations do,” however, he said what always stood out to him “is the resilience of the Pakistani people and their determination to build a better future.”

Prior to the press conference, the secretary-general and FM Dar discussed regional and global issues relating to peace and security. The discussions covered Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the future of multilateralism.

FM Dar briefed Guterres on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty while also highlighting Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad Talks between the US and Iran.