ISLAMABAD: World should step back and ‘look at Pakistan through a wider frame’, as Pakistan despite own challenges, has protected Afghan refugees with the limited support from international community, said Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) on Sunday evening while addressing a press conference alongside Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
“It is a pleasure to be back to Pakistan. It is time for the world to step back and look at Pakistan through a wider frame, UN Secretary General said, adding that he is thankful to Prime Minister Imran Khan for his invitation
Pakistan was the world’s second-biggest host to refugees, Guterres said, addin that it is a trustworthy and benevolent nation,” he said.
He said that he was in Islamabad to highlight the same to the world. “Here in Pakistan, we see solidarity in action,” he maintained.
“One can imagine how unstable the region might be without Pakistan’s stellar contribution,” he noted, stressing, however, that the Afghan refugees should return respectfully to their own country.
The UN boss said the global body was thankful to Pakistan’s peacekeepers. “I am grateful to the UNMOGIP [United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan] in Kashmir,” Guterres added.
He said he exchanged thoughts with Qureshi on security situation in South Asia and that mediation, as well as talks, were the only solution to the region’s conflicts.
Separately, he said that he was aware of Pakistan’s “important” Afghan peace efforts. “It shows Pakistan’s commitment to peace,” he noted.
Guterres said he looked forward to visiting Nankana Sahib and the “rest of my visit”.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister termed his meeting with Guterres as “the most interesting and revolving [one] so far”.
“Thank you for being here. You have recognised the contributions Pakistan has made. Your personal efforts and institutional efforts are recognised,” the foreign minister said. “We have to agree to a repatriation road map.”
Noting that today’s world was very challenging, he said Pakistan had always been supportive of the UN’s system and that the country had excellent cooperation with it. “I have reiterated our support because we understand how important multilateralism is. We are committed to principles and objectives of UN charter,” he said.
“We are also aware there are elements that give preference to unilateralism over multilateralism and that one [such] action was seen on August 5, 2019. We had a very candid discussion on Jammu and Kashmir and shared Pakistan’s concerns” on the matter, Qureshi stated.
“I have also pointed out the increasing ceasefire violations taking place post-August 5. Almost 200 days have gone by and the siege and lock-down continue and fundamental human rights are being denied,” he added, expressing gratitude for Guterres’ August 8 statement and reiterating the UN’s position on the international dispute.
“As a custodian of the UN charter, we have certain expectations. We discussed the efforts Pakistan has made to facilitate peace process. Today, we are being seen as part of the solution.
“There was a time when Pakistan was seen as part of problem but today the pendulum has swung. I discussed our strategy to achieve SDG [sustainable development goals] targets.”
Guterres urges India to respect human rights in Kashmir
Earlier in the day, the UNSG answered questions following a special talk on Sustainable Development and Climate change in Islamabad. He had urged India to respect human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK).
Guterres told the audience that “the UN has always emphasised on talks between Pakistan and India”.
He stated that human rights should not only be respected in Kashmir but should be respected worldwide.
“The UN’s stance on human rights is very clear,” stated the UN chief, adding that he has thrown his support for a dialogue between the two nuclear states “many times.”
Read more: UN Secretary General in Pakistan for four days visit
