ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said Pakistan was waging a global war against terrorism during a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The two, along with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, discussed global and regional issues and matters relating to peacekeeping missions.
Naqvi told the UN chief that 25 terrorist organisations were operating in Afghanistan, posing a threat to global peace. “The international community needs to work together to tackle this threat,” he said.
Naqvi reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to play its role in UN peacekeeping missions, adding that Pakistani personnel were also serving in the UN police. He added that 181 Pakistanis had sacrificed their lives in peacekeeping missions.
The UN chief recognised Pakistan’s participation in peacekeeping missions, saying it had always been “prominent”.
“Pakistan’s role in world peace is commendable,” Guterres said.
After the meeting, Guterres concluded his two-day visit to Pakistan, which “provided an important opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with the United Nations”, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.
The UN chief’s visit highlighted “Pakistan’s unwavering support for multilateralism”, FO said.
Previously, Guterres also met President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
On Tuesday, in a meeting with Guterres, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the UN charter, multilateralism and settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Dar “also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in support of regional peace and stability”, FO said.
While briefing the UN chief on India’s violation of the Indus Water Treaty and international law, Dar “reiterated Pakistan’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute”.
He further highlighted Pakistan’s support for Palestinians and their “legitimate struggle for self-determination and statehood”, FO said.
“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.”
President Zardari on Tuesday conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz on the UN chief “in recognition of his distinguished international service and contribution to global peace and development”.
On Wednesday, Guterres “exchanged views on issues of regional and international importance” in meeting with PM Shehbaz, according to FO.
Guterres “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”, FO said.
The UN chief was also briefed on Pakistan’s progress in disaster preparedness and early warning systems by the National Disaster Management Authority.
On Wednesday, Guterres, in his address during a special talk at the Foreign Service Academy, “reflected on his longstanding association with Pakistan and highlighted the generosity, resilience, and solidarity of the Pakistani people”.
Guterres’ first visit to Pakistan as the UN secretary general was in February 2020, about three years after he was elected to the position in 2016. His 10-year tenure as UN chief is set to end on Dec 31.
