UN chief Guterres heads to Islamabad for four-day visit centred on US-Iran mediation

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left New York for Islamabad on Sunday night for a four-day trip during which he will discuss Pakistan’s mediatory role in the US conflict with Iran, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Monday.

The visit, at the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, will include meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, senior government officials and President Asif Ali Zardari. Dunya News reported he is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday morning and return to New York on Thursday.

The secretary-general will also visit the National Disaster Management Authority to review progress on preparedness since the devastating 2022 floods — his last visit to the country — and the headquarters of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Islamabad.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told APP that Guterres had “seen firsthand how Pakistan has stood by others… using its diplomacy and mediation to bring parties together when dialogue is most needed.” The UN chief has consistently praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, which led to the memorandum of understanding that established a ceasefire, and last month strongly advocated a return to dialogue after the ceasefire broke down. Guterres steps down at the end of this year after two five-year terms.