UN Secretary-General Concludes Visit to Pakistan
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
The United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. António Guterres, concluded his official visit to Pakistan from 6 to 8 October 2026, during which he held extensive engagements with Pakistan’s leadership and senior officials.
On 6 October, the Secretary-General met with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. During the meeting, the DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, and the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. He also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in support of regional peace and stability.
The DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He also briefed the Secretary-General on India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, in blatant violation of international law. The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for self-determination and statehood. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international peace and security, including Afghanistan and counter-terrorism, as well as sustainable development, climate change, and the future of multilateralism.
The Secretary-General also called on the President of Pakistan on 6 October. The meeting was followed by a Special Investiture Ceremony at the Presidency, during which the President conferred Nishan-e-Imtiaz on the Secretary-General in recognition of his distinguished international service and contribution to global peace and development.
On 7 October, the Secretary-General called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan and exchanged views on issues of regional and international importance.
During the visit, the Secretary-General also held meetings with the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, as well as the Minister for Interior & Narcotics Control.
In his engagements, the Secretary-General commended Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the United Nations, including its significant role in UN peacekeeping and its efforts to promote dialogue, mediation, and international cooperation.
The Secretary-General also visited the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Islamabad and attended a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where Pakistan’s progress in disaster preparedness and early warning systems was highlighted.
On 7 October, the Secretary-General participated as guest speaker in a special talk at the Foreign Service Academy on the theme, “Strengthening Multilateralism in a Changing World: Geopolitics and the Role of the United Nations.” The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister delivered welcome remarks. In his address, the Secretary-General reflected on his longstanding association with Pakistan and highlighted the generosity, resilience, and solidarity of the Pakistani people, drawing on his two decades of service to the United Nations, including as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The visit provided an important opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with the United Nations and to exchange views on key regional and international developments. It also underscored Pakistan’s unwavering support for multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core, and its abiding commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Reference Link:- https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/un-secretary-general-concludes-visit-to-pakistan
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
