UN chief to arrive on four-day visit to Pakistan

Besides meeting PM and president, Antonio Guterres will also attend international conference on Afghan refugees


​ Our Correspondent February 10, 2020
António Guterres will address international Afghan refugees conference in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres will be visiting Pakistan from February 16 to 19 during which he will attend an international conference on Afghan refugees and deliver his key note address.

Pakistan, in collaboration with the UNHCR, is organising the international conference to mark the 40-year-long stay of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees in the country on February 17 and 18.

"The UN secretary-general’s participation in the international conference is a recognition of Pakistan’s exemplary compassion, generosity and resolve in hosting Afghan refugees for the past four decades and our efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan," Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement on Monday.

The UNSG will also call on President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, besides holding meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

"During the visit, our leadership will share Pakistan’s perspective on all aspects of Jammu and Kashmir dispute," the FO communique added.

Pakistan to hold international conference on Afghan refugees on Feb 17-18

"The Secretary-General’s other engagements will include interactions with parliamentarians, media and the youth. He will deliver special talks on themes of sustainable development, climate change and peacekeeping," it adeed.

According to the official statement, the UN secretary-general will also pay a visit to Lahore and a Gurdwara Kartarpur Saheb in Punjab's Narowal district.

The visit will be an opportunity to acknowledge Pakistan’s contribution to the United Nations’ efforts in promotion and maintenance of international peace and security especially through our valiant soldiers serving as the UN peacekeepers, Farooqui said.

"Pakistan is an ardent supporter of the United Nations and has contributed significantly to the realisation of the United Nations’ objectives of peace and security and sustainable development in the world."

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