Guterres lauds Pakistan's US-Iran mediation
Praise for Islamabad's diplomacy
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised Pakistan as a trusted mediator in the US-Iran conflict, calling its initiative "remarkable" at the start of a three-day visit on Tuesday. Speaking alongside Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, he said Islamabad had helped create conditions for dialogue and urged Washington and Tehran to return to diplomacy. Dar said the Islamabad Talks brought both sides into direct contact for the first time in 47 years.
Top civil award for the UN chief
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's highest civil awards, on Guterres in recognition of his service to global peace. Nearing the end of his tenure, Guterres said he was determined to make one last visit. He also recalled his trip to flood-hit areas in 2022 and noted that Pakistan remains on the front lines of climate change despite contributing little to global emissions.
Peacekeeping and terrorism
The UN chief paid tribute to more than 180 Pakistani peacekeepers who died serving abroad. He acknowledged Pakistan's security concerns but stressed that counterterrorism must respect international law and human rights. On Thursday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told Guterres that Pakistan was waging a global war against terrorism and would keep contributing to UN peacekeeping missions. Dar also briefed him on Kashmir and on what Pakistan calls India's violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Why it matters
The visit boosts Pakistan's diplomatic profile as an elected Security Council member while Gulf tensions continue to disrupt global trade.
