Islamabad, 24 March 2022 (TDI): Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Sohail Mahmood held a meeting with the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations.
Ambassador Khaled Khairi, the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations was briefed about the incident of missile firing by India into Pakistan’s territory.
The Foreign Secretary briefed him and highlighted that it was a grave violation of Pakistan’s airspace along with reflecting India’s disregard for aviation safety and regional peace and stability.
Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood underscored that Pakistan persisted to act with self-restraint and responsibility. However, this incident was compatible with India’s reckless behavior and ought to be addressed by the global community.
He pointed out that the Foreign Minister of Pakistan had written a letter to the President of the UN Security Council as well as the UN Secretary-General, urging for a joint investigation into the incident so as to verify the facts.
Along these lines, the Foreign Secretary underlined the serious human rights violations and unlawful demographic changes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He accentuated the significance of a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, as per the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the desire of the Kashmiri people.
The two officials also exchanged views on matters regarding Afghanistan. They acquiesced on the pressing requirement for the provision of sufficient humanitarian and emergency aid to the Afghan people.
In this context, they also agreed on the need to revive the Afghan economy and financial system, and the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan with the diligent involvement of the UN.
The Pakistani Foreign Secretary lauded the UN’s important contributions in this respect.
On the crisis in Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary shared Pakistan’s perspective on the ongoing conflict and its negative economic effect on developing states.
Pakistan has unfailingly called for termination of hostilities and a resolution via dialogue and diplomacy. Sohail Mahmood and the UN Envoy also deliberated upon collaboration between Pakistan and the UN, specifically in the domain of peacekeeping.
The Assitant Secretary General on his part applauded Pakistan’s contributions to UN peacekeeping over the years. Pakista is one of the largest troop contributors.
Assistant Secretary-General Khairi was visiting Pakistan as the representative of the UN Secretary-General at the 48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad on 22-23 March 2022, that coincided with the 75th anniversary festivities of Pakistan’s Independence.
