Qureshi-Guterres agree to take Afghan peace process forward

Both leaders exchanged on a range of issues on the UN agenda including the COVID-19 situation; economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic; international debt relief efforts; equitable availability of vaccines for the developing countries; peacekeeping; Jammu and Kashmir dispute; and the Afghan peace process.

According to the press release issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office, lauding the UNSG’s leadership during challenging times, the Foreign Minister welcomed his availability to serve a second term in office and expressed Pakistan’s full support for Mr Guterres’s re-appointment for another five-year tenure.

Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to multilateralism, with a strong UN playing a central role in the delivery of its mandates that meet the expectations of Member States.

The UNSG valued Pakistan’s constructive contributions towards the effective functioning of the Organisation in the different areas of its work, calling Pakistan a “fundamental partner of the United Nations.”

The Secretary-General especially lauded Pakistan’s Presidency of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the promotion of the socio-economic development agenda, the statement added.

Secretary-General Guterres briefed the Foreign Minister on UN efforts about the situation in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister underscored Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghan peace process, noting that the concerned parties must seize the historic opportunity and work together for securing an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement while guarding against the role of “spoilers.”

Both leaders agreed that the Afghan peace process should be taken forward through consultations and in a manner that helps establish durable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region.