The Kabul Tribune (KT) — U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Islamabad early Tuesday for a two-day official visit focused on Pakistan’s cooperation with the United Nations, regional and international developments, and the country’s disaster preparedness, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
Guterres is visiting Pakistan from Oct. 6 to 8 at the
invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He was
received upon arrival by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir, the
Foreign Office said.
During the visit, Guterres is scheduled to meet President
Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dar and Chief of Defence
Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The U.N. chief is also expected to visit the headquarters of
the U.N. Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, known as UNMOGIP, and
attend a briefing at the headquarters of Pakistan’s National Disaster
Management Authority.
The Foreign Office said the visit would highlight Pakistan’s
efforts to strengthen multilateralism and international peace and security, as
well as its work on disaster preparedness and early-warning systems.
It also described the visit as an opportunity to reaffirm
Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the United Nations and exchange views
on regional and international developments.
Guterres’ visit comes as his second term as U.N.
secretary-general approaches its end on Dec. 31. He was first elected to the
post in 2016.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Guterres on the sidelines
of the U.N. General Assembly in New York last month. The two discussed major
regional and international issues, including the situation in the Middle East.
During that meeting, Guterres praised Pakistan’s role and
voice at the United Nations and its contribution to international peace and
security. He also commended Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in countering
terrorism.
Guterres previously visited Pakistan in February 2020, his
first trip to the country as U.N. secretary-general.
The visit also comes as the United Nations prepares to
select Guterres’ successor. Two of the six candidates seeking the position have
visited Pakistan in recent months and held separate meetings with Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Former U.N. General Assembly President María Fernanda
Espinosa and Ambassador Olara Otunnu met the Pakistani prime minister in July
and September, respectively, and praised Pakistan’s role in international
efforts.
