UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Begins Official Visit to Pakistan
Antonio Guterres arrived in Islamabad for a three-day visit to discuss regional security, the Kashmir dispute, and Pakistan's mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Islamabad on October 6, 2026, for a three-day official visit. Invited by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Guterres was received upon arrival by Acting Foreign Secretary Nabeel Munir.
During an initial meeting with Ishaq Dar, the two discussed global peace and security, focusing on Afghanistan, Palestine, counter-terrorism, and the future of multilateralism. Dar specifically raised the Kashmir dispute, calling for a resolution based on UN Security Council resolutions, and addressed the Indus Waters Treaty, which India placed in abeyance following a terror attack in Pahalgam last year. Additionally, Guterres is meeting with senior officials to discuss Pakistan's diplomatic and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
The Secretary-General's itinerary includes scheduled meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Guterres is also slated to visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and receive a briefing from the National Disaster Management Authority.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric praised Pakistan's longstanding commitment to the organization through its diplomatic efforts and peacekeeping contributions. The visit, which continues through October 8, aims to reaffirm cooperation between the UN and Pakistan while highlighting the latter's efforts in disaster preparedness and international peace.
