Pakistan is a ‘trustworthy and a benevolent nation’: UN Sec Gen

ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres said Sunday that Pakistan was a “trustworthy and benevolent nation” urging the world to look at it through a wider frame.

The UN Secretary General made these remarks while he held a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. Guterres had visited Pakistan on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s invitation, praising Islamabad for hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the course of four decades.

“I’m thankful to Prime Minister Imran Khan for his invitation,” he said, adding: “It is a pleasure to be back to Pakistan. It is time for the world to step back and look at Pakistan through a wider frame.”

Saying that Pakistan received limited support from the international community, the UN chief praised the country for continuing to host Afghan refugees.

“One can imagine how unstable the region might be without Pakistan’s stellar contribution,” he noted, stressing, however, that the Afghan refugees should return respectfully to their own country.

“Now, the biggest effort needs to be made in Afghanistan and I support international community to create conditions for the effective repatriation of refugees,” he said.

He praised Pakistan’s “commitment to peace” for its role in the Afghan peace process. On the issue of occupied Kashmir, Guterres said he was willing to offer his good offices for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

“I have offered my good offices in relation to the dispute. I visited UNMOGIP and we believe it should have complete freedom of movement,” he said.