RAWALPINDI(National Times)- 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”.
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.
