World peace on the agenda as UN chief meets PM, CDF

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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls on CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi.—White Star
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls on CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi.—White Star

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Mar­shal Asim Munir on Wedn­e­sday reaffirmed Pakis­tan’s commitment to international peace in a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Anto­nio Guterres, the military’s media affairs wing said.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Mr Guterres called on CDF Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional sec­­­u­­rity environment and the UN’s role in promoting international peace and security were discussed,” it said.

“The two sides excha­nged views on regional stability, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India’s abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty and terrorism emanating from Afgh­a­nistan.” During the meeting, CDF Munir reaffirmed “Pa­k­­i­stan’s commitment to international peace and highlighted its contributions to UN peacekeeping missions”. He also lauded the UN’s role in “advancing peace, stability and humanitarian cooperation”.

Guterres praises Pakistan’s fight in war against terror; PM highlights Kashmir, Indus water issues

The UN secretary general paid tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of Pakistan and its armed forces in the war against terror and in UN peacekeeping missions.

“He also acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to international peace and security,” the ISPR said, adding that Mr Guterres specifically appr­e­ciated “Pakistan’s efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts”.

   UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Chats with PM Shehbaz during their meeting.—White Star
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Chats with PM Shehbaz during their meeting.—White Star

Meeting with PM Shehbaz

Later on Wednesday, Mr Guterres met with PM Shehbaz, who lauded the secretary general for his “principled commitment to the UN Charter, multilateralism, international law, dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes”, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The PM reaffirmed Pakis­tan’s commitment to an “effective, inclusive and representative UN, particularly at a time when multilateralism faces significant challenges,” the statement said.

Welcoming Mr Guterres’ UN80 Initiative, the prime minister emphasised that UN reforms should resp­ond to the priorities of dev­e­lop­ing countries while str­e­n­g­thening conflict prevention.

“The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its mediation role between the US and Iran,” the statement read.

PM Shehbaz also called for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions. “He highlighted that the Indus Waters Treaty is a binding international agreement and that India’s unilateral decision to place it in abeyance has no legal basis,” the statement added.

Mr Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts toward mediation and de-escalation.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026

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