António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has praised Pakistan’s longstanding role in hosting Afghan refugees during his three-day visit to the country, saying that Pakistan has played an important role as a host country for Afghan refugees over the years.
Guterres, who is visiting Islamabad from October 6 to 8, is holding talks with senior Pakistani officials on Afghanistan, regional security, terrorism, Palestine, and other international issues.
He also described Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate dialogue with the United States and reduce tensions between Iran and the United States as significant. Guterres said Islamabad’s efforts had contributed to creating conditions for dialogue, securing a ceasefire, and establishing a framework for future negotiations.
Guterres called on all sides to end the war, return to diplomacy, and restore rights related to freedom of movement and maritime routes in accordance with international law. He stressed that the United Nations supports the principle of the “voluntary, safe, and dignified” return of Afghans from Pakistan.
During Guterres’s visit, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, also met with him and held discussions on Afghanistan, Kashmir, Palestine, terrorism, and regional security.
Guterres had previously praised Pakistan’s longstanding hosting of Afghan refugees while serving as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 2015, he said that Pakistan and Iran had made contributions to hosting Afghan refugees that deserved the appreciation of the international community.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
