Islamabad (TDI): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is heading to Pakistan for a three-day official visit focused partly on Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran, as regional tensions remain high.
Guterres is scheduled to visit Pakistan from October 6 to 8 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. During his stay, he will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The visit comes as Pakistan continues to support diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the prolonged US-Iran conflict. Islamabad has been involved in efforts to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran, including support for negotiations over the conflict and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan’s role in the diplomatic process has received attention from the UN leadership. During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York last month, the two leaders discussed the Middle East situation, with Shehbaz emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy as the means to address regional tensions.
The visit comes as Washington and Tehran remain divided over the conditions for ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has tied the reopening of the strategic waterway to seven conditions under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, while the United States has maintained its own demands. Qatar and other mediators have continued efforts to bridge the differences.
Read More: Guterres Calls for Global AI Governance, Warns Against Concentration of Power
The Secretary-General’s visit will also include discussions on wider regional and international developments. The Foreign Office said the visit would provide an opportunity to exchange views on international peace and security and highlight Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism.
Guterres will visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, in Islamabad. The mission monitors developments along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and has operated in the region since 1949.
He will also visit the National Disaster Management Authority, where he is expected to receive a briefing on Pakistan’s disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and efforts to strengthen resilience since the devastating 2022 floods.
Guterres visited Pakistan in September 2022 following the catastrophic monsoon floods that affected large parts of the country. During that visit, he called for greater international support for flood recovery and climate-related challenges.
The UN chief’s current visit comes during the final months of his tenure. Guterres, who has served as secretary-general since January 2017, is due to leave office at the end of 2026 after two five-year terms.
The trip also follows renewed diplomatic activity surrounding the US-Iran conflict. Tehran recently received a US response to its latest proposal through mediators, while Iranian officials have continued to insist that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be reopened until agreed conditions are addressed.
Read More: UN Chief Guterres Praises Pakistan’s Peace Efforts
Pakistan has maintained that its diplomatic engagement is aimed at facilitating dialogue rather than taking sides in the dispute. Prime Minister Shehbaz also reiterated during his September meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Islamabad was prepared to continue playing a constructive role in support of regional peace and stability.
