ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres arrived Islamabad on Sunday to attend International Conference on Afghan refugees.
During his four day stay, the UN Secretary General will call on the President and the Prime Minister. He will also hold meeting with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. During these meetings, Pakistan’s perspective on all aspects of Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be shared with the UN Secretary General.
Pakistan is observing 40th anniversary of hosting Afghan refugees this year. In this regard, an International Conference is being held in Islamabad on 17-18 February 2020. Prime Minister Imran Khan would be welcoming distinguishing guests including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Afghan Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, UN High Commissioner for Afghan Refugees Filippo Grandi, US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, Turkish Minister for Interior Süleyman Soylu and many others would be part of this moot.
The Secretary-General’s other engagements include interactions with parliamentarians, media and the youth. He will deliver special talks on themes of sustainable development, climate change and peacekeeping. The Secretary-General will also visit to Lahore.
António Guterres is currently ninth Secretary-General of UN, took office on 1st January 2017. He served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015, PM of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, stayed involved in resolving crisis in East Timor, President of the European Council in early 2000, led adoption of the Lisbon Agenda for growth / jobs, co-chaired the first European Union-Africa summit, Member of the Portuguese Council of State from 1991 to 2002 and Elected to Portuguese Parliament in 1976 – served as a member for 17 years.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at UN headquarters January’s 1st week of year 2020, United Nation’s Security Council’s meeting. The Secretary-General has reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia through political dialogue, diplomatic solutions and respect for human rights.
Security Council members were held talks on the disputed region of Kashmir amid ongoing concerns over the flashpoint between nuclear armed rivals India and Pakistan.
In December 2019, the United States, Britain, France and Russia blocked a previous attempt by China to discuss the issue at another closed-door meeting. The council last discussed Kashmir in August 2019.
China has long voiced concern over the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir and said it supports Pakistan in its fight for Kashmiris.
India and Pakistan both hold Kashmir in part and claim the Himalayan region in full. China also controls part of the contested region, but it is India and Pakistan that have fought two wars over the territory.
Guterres actively supported and the part of Socialist Intl, an organization of social democratic political parties worldwide. He founded Portuguese Refugee Council / Portuguese Consumers Association DECO and also served as president of Centro de Acção Social Universitário, an association carrying out social development projects in poor neighborhoods of Lisbon, early 1970s.
Also Read:Pakistan’s 40 Years of Hosting Afghan Refugees
