ISLAMABAD, JUL 21: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, met with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, at the United Nations Headquaters today.
During the meeting, the DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering and resolute commitment to multilateralism and the central role of the UN in addressing the most pressing global challenges. The DPM/FM reassured the Secretary General of Pakistan’s focus on strengthening the UN’s role in conflict resolution, in promoting sustainable development, and in upholding the fundamental rights of all peoples around the world. The Secretary General appreciated Pakistan’s presence and initiatives at the UNSC.
The DPM/FM underscored that Pakistan is fully committed to the pruposes and principles of the UN Charter, especially the need to advance peace through dialogue and diplomacy. He further stated that the high-level debate on multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes and the meeting on UN-OIC cooperation, under Pakistan’s Presidency of the UN Security Council for the current month, reflects on Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and the promotion of peace.
The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister emphasized issues of critical national and regional importance to Pakistan, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and externally sponsored terrorism in Pakistan. He stressed the imperative of a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council. The DPM/FM lauded the Secretary-General’s leadership and sincere efforts for de-escalation of recent tensions between Pakistan and India.
The DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestinian statehood, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and firm opposition to Israel’s annexation plans in the West Bank.
The DPM/FM and the UNSG also exchanged views on the need for promoting concessional financing to support development and climate goals, espcially for the developing countries, mobilizing enhanced international support for debt relief and liquidity solutions for the Global South. The DPM/FM emphasized that the Secretary-General’s “UN80” initiative offered a critical opportunity to strengthen the three pillars of the United Nations to promote international peace and security, sustainable development and human rights worldwide.
The DPM/FM welcomed the appointment of a UN Special Envoy on Islamophobia and expressed readiness to support global efforts to combat religious intolerance.
