Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sen. Ishaq Dar met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday in New York, where the two officials exchanged views on recent regional developments, including the situation in the Middle East and West Asia.
Dar appreciated the secretary-general’s principled position and support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts, highlighting Islamabad’s successful hosting of the April talks, which the deputy prime minister described as an important diplomatic breakthrough.
The ceasefire initially facilitated through Pakistan’s efforts continued to hold, Dar said, reaffirming his government’s support for continued engagement and dialogue to achieve durable peace and stability in the region.
According to a Foreign Office statement, Dar also thanked Guterres for his steadfast commitment to multilateralism and acknowledged his continued support for and strong cooperation with Pakistan.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and advancing international peace and security through constructive engagement at the world body.
Dar welcomed the secretary-general’s UN80 Initiative and praised his leadership in that regard, emphasizing that the interests and priorities of developing countries should remain central to the reform agenda. He also underlined the importance of strengthening conflict prevention, peaceful dispute settlement, and peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in line with evolving global realities.
Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding position on Security Council reform, Dar called for a comprehensive reform process based on sovereign equality, transparency, inclusivity and broad-based consensus among member states. “These principles could only be upheld through the addition of elected members,” he added.
Turning to developments in South Asia, Dar expressed concern over what he called provocative and inflammatory statements by the Indian leadership that undermine regional stability. He said India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance constituted a violation of international law, the treaty’s provisions and established norms governing inter-state relations.
The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the core issue between Pakistan and India, Dar said, reiterating that its just resolution in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people was essential for lasting peace in South Asia.
Dar also said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan remained vital for regional stability but expressed deep concern over the continued use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups against Pakistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its national security and protect its citizens in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
On Palestine, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people and their struggle for self-determination and statehood. He appreciated Guterres’ continued advocacy for the two-state solution and the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan as endorsed in Security Council Resolution 2803.
Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s active engagement at the United Nations and its contributions to international peace and security, including through diplomacy and UN peacekeeping efforts, the statement said.
