• UN chief urges end to conflict and a return to the table
• Praises Pakistan for hosting refugees, peacekeeping role, climate resilience
• Dar raises Kashmir, Indus treaty, terrorism from Afghan soil
• President Zardari confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz on outgoing UN secretary general

ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday 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.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he said: “Pakistan’s spirit of engagement is front and centre on issues of international peace and security.

“I salute Pakistan’s leadership for helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the US and Iran and mediating that conflict. Your efforts helped deliver the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework for future negotiations. Every Pakistani shou­ld be proud of that pivotal role.”

He added: “And from Islamabad, I want to send a loud and clear message to all parties: end the conflict, return to diplomacy and restore navigational rights in accordance with international law. There will never be peace in the region until the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people is recognised, as Pakistan has long championed.”

At the outset of his speech, the UN chief said that it was “wonderful to be back in Pakistan”.

“I am in the closing months of my tenure as UN secretary general. Before that, I served 10 years as UN high commissioner for refugees,” he said.

“Pakistan has shown that, even in difficult circumstances, perhaps especially in difficult circumstances, compassion and responsibility must go hand-in-hand,” he said.

He asserted that Pakistan mattered not only because of its size, but because it brought an “essential perspective” to global debates.

“For decades, Pakistan opened its doors to millions of Afghans fleeing conflict and instability. Communities around this country shared whatever they had with people seeking protection and safety,” Mr Guterres said.

He added that the UN was committed to working together with the country to uphold protection principles and ensure that returns of Afghans “proceed in a voluntary, safe and dignified way”.

Mr Guterres also appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to Uni­ted Nations peacekeeping.

The chief highlighted Pakis­tan’s leadership with Denmark on UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2823, which strengthened accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.

The resolution was co-sponsored by 153 countries, which according to Mr Guterres, was the largest number of co-sponsors for a UNSC resolution in UN history. Commenting on terrorism in the country, he said Pakistan had endured immense suffering. “Thousands of people lost their lives. Families and communities across the country continue to bear scars. We stand with Pakistan in confronting this threat of terrorism,” he said.

Towards the end of his speech, Mr Guterres also spoke about the climate crisis. “My last visit to Pakistan came during the catastrophic floods of 2022. I will never forget the utter devastation I saw,” he said.

“But I also saw the resilience, determination and solidarity of the Pakistani people,” Mr Guterres added. “Pakistan is on the frontlines of climate chaos despite contributing only a tiny fraction of global emissions.”

‘Great friend’ of Pakistan

Meanwhile, Mr Dar said he “greatly appreciated” Mr Guterres’ visit, which he asserted was a reflection of the “long-standing and close cooperation” between Pakistan and the UN.

“It also shows our common resolve to strengthen multilateralism and our cooperation at a time of profound global challenges,” he said.

Mr Dar referred to Mr Guterres as a “great friend” of Pakistan, adding that the country would not forget his solidarity during the 2022 floods as well as his efforts to mobilise international support for recovery and reconstruction.

“We also greatly appreciate the UN’s consistent position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the reiteration of the UN framework and UNSC resolutions for resolving the dispute,” he said.

Mr Dar said he briefed the UN chief on India’s unilateral move of holding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, which he referred to as a blatant violation of international law.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s “deep concern” at the continued use of Afghan soil for carrying out terrorist attacks against Pakistan. He urged the UN chief and the international community to help address these challenges.

Before the presser, Mr Dar also held a one-on-one meeting with the UN chief, with the two discussing regional and global issues relating to peace and security, the Foreign Office said. The discussions covered Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counterterrorism and the future of multilateralism.

Nishan-i-Imtiaz for UN chief

President Asif Ali Zardari also conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Mr Guterres in recognition of his “distinguished international service, leadership of the UN and contribution to global peace and development”, a handout by the President’s Secretariat said.

The award, first to any UN secretary general by Pakistan, was conferred in a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr, the statement said.

According to the handout the president also separately met with the UN chief and appreciated his 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.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026