UN chief lauds Pakistan’s mediation role

He said every Pakistani should be proud of the country's pivotal role in promoting diplomacy and de-escalation."From Islamabad, I want to send a loud and clear message to all parties: end the conflict, return to diplomacy," Guterres said, urging the restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

He also stressed that lasting peace in the region required the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.Dar said Pakistan's facilitation of dialogue between Washington and Tehran reflected its broader commitment to negotiation, mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes.

He said Islamabad had sought to promote diplomacy during its current tenure on the UN Security Council and cited its initiative on Resolution 2788 on strengthening multilateralism.The two leaders also discussed Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, climate change, peacekeeping and the future of multilateralism.

Dar reiterated Pakistan's position on Kashmir and urged implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, while also raising India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.He urged India to fulfil its obligations under the treaty and stop "weaponising water", while also expressing concern over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.

Guterres acknowledged Pakistan's struggle against terrorism, stressing that legitimate security concerns must be addressed within international law, human rights and the rule of law.Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Nishan-e-Imtiaz on Guterres in recognition of his international service, UN leadership and contribution to global peace and development.

The award was the first conferred by Pakistan on a UN secretary-general and was presented at a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr.During his meeting with the president, Guterres was praised for his principled leadership and support for dialogue, while Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's backing for Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution.

He also stressed that the Indus Waters Treaty was a binding international agreement that could not be unilaterally suspended.Zardari said Pakistan remained committed to combating terrorism and expressed concern over terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.

He also highlighted Pakistan's contribution to UN peacekeeping, noting that more than 270,000 Pakistani peacekeepers had served in 48 UN missions around the world.Guterres paid tribute to Pakistani peacekeepers, saying more than 180 had lost their lives serving international peace.

He also praised Pakistan and Denmark for leading Security Council Resolution 2823 on accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers, describing it as the resolution with the largest number of co-sponsors in Security Council history.On climate change, Guterres recalled his visit during Pakistan's catastrophic 2022 floods, saying he had witnessed both devastation and the resilience of its people.

He said Pakistan was on the front lines of climate change despite contributing only a tiny fraction of global emissions and called on developed countries to provide finance, technology and support.Guterres also called for reform of the international system, saying the Security Council no longer adequately represented today's world.

He pointed to Africa's lack of permanent representation and divisions among the five permanent members, urging a more representative UN and greater access for developing countries to development finance and debt relief."I am here to further strengthen our partnership and to reaffirm a simple message: the United Nations stands with the people of Pakistan," Guterres said, thanking Pakistan for its contribution to the world and reaffirming the importance of dialogue,….

UN chief lauds Pakistan's mediation role Our Correspondent | Updated 6 minutes ago | Guterres praises Islamabad's US-Iran diplomacy, honours Pakistani peacekeepers.