Pakistan Emerges as Key Bridge between US and Iran: Guterres
UN chief lauds Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table
ISLAMABAD: (News Pulse) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran, saying the trust placed in Islamabad by both sides reflected Pakistan’s credibility and growing role in promoting international peace and security.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Guterres said it was “remarkable” that both Washington and Tehran had accepted Pakistan as a mediator, describing the confidence of the two sides in Islamabad as significant.
“Pakistan’s spirit of engagement is front and centre on issues of international peace and security. I salute Pakistan’s leadership in helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the US and Iran and mediating that conflict,” he said.
The UN chief said Pakistan had a special role within the United Nations and continued to make meaningful contributions to global efforts aimed at strengthening multilateralism, dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.
He also praised Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping missions, saying Pakistani men and women serving under the UN flag had demonstrated courage and commitment to international peace.
Guterres noted that Pakistan itself faced serious challenges, including terrorism, but had continued to make substantial contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the dignified return of Afghan refugees and commended the country’s leadership for its diplomatic role in helping defuse tensions between the United States and Iran.
“Disputes could be resolved through negotiations and dialogue,” Guterres said, adding that the United Nations remained available to support efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through peaceful means.
On Palestine, the UN secretary-general said lasting peace could not be achieved without ensuring the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
He called for the immediate implementation of the Gaza peace plan and an end to the suffering of Palestinians, stressing that the international community must not lose sight of the Palestinian issue amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Gulf.
Guterres also condemned the October 7 attacks and reiterated the need to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and move towards a durable political solution.
On climate change, he said a relatively small number of countries accounted for a major share of global greenhouse gas emissions and stressed the urgent need to reduce harmful emissions.
The UN chief said the United Nations stood with the people of Pakistan and expressed pleasure at returning to the country. His previous visit to Pakistan was in 2022, following devastating floods that affected large parts of the country.
He also questioned the limited representation of Africa on the UN Security Council, underscoring the need for a more representative global multilateral system.
Speaking alongside Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said the international situation was “extremely complex”, with major challenges involving Iran, the United States, the Houthis and the Bab el-Mandeb.
Dar said the United Nations had adopted resolutions on several international disputes, but the fundamental challenge was ensuring their implementation.
Citing the Kashmir dispute, he said UN Security Council resolutions had been adopted on the issue but had yet to be implemented.
The deputy prime minister called for a clear and effective mechanism to ensure implementation of UN resolutions, saying the international community also needed a system of consequences and incentives to ensure compliance with international decisions.
Dar said Pakistan had immediately condemned Israel’s attack on Iran and had urged Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to exercise restraint.
Earlier, Dar held a meeting with Guterres in Islamabad during which they discussed a wide range of regional and global issues relating to peace and security, including Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the future of multilateralism.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar briefed the UN secretary-general on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, while reiterating Islamabad’s call for a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including Islamabad’s facilitation of talks between the United States and Iran.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes.
Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the United Nations and its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation.
The UN secretary-general arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Pakistan from October 6 to 8 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
He was received by Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the start of his visit.
During his stay, Guterres is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The UN chief will also visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and attend a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
According to the Foreign Office, his engagements will also highlight Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism and international peace and security, as well as the country’s progress in disaster preparedness and early-warning systems.