Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, has a ‘love relationship’ with Pakistan and its people, he said while addressing a ceremony on “Sustainable Development and Climate Change” on Sunday in Islamabad.
He regretted the unfair portrayal of Pakistan in the past. He recalled visiting Pakistan as the commissioner for Afghan refugees and his interaction with the ‘the noble and generous people of Pakistan’ while addressing the ceremony.
He reiterated that he intends to bring to spotlight the real Pakistan – with all its potential and possibilities while addressing the Refugee Summit in Islamabad along with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
“I have a love affair with Pakistan and it’s people.”
– @UN Secretary General @antonioguterres #UNSGinPakistan pic.twitter.com/F2Pbs2nPWh
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 16, 2020
He urged the world to step back and look Pakistan through a wider frame while addressing a press conference at Islamabad on Sunday along with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Antonio Guterres said he is happy to return to Pakistan and thanked PM Khan for inviting on the visit to Pakistan.
His overwhelmingly positive affirmations for Pakistan cheered the citizens. But these statements coming from a high-profile international dignitary like the secretary-general of the coveted international organization, United Nation, testifies Pakistan’s relentless and tough battle to ward off stigmas of terrorism, violence and a hostile country for a decade.
"I strongly believe it is time for the world to step back and look at Pakistan through a wider frame.
One of the main purposes of my visit is to spotlight the real Pakistan — with all its possibility and potential."
– UN Secretary General @antonioguterres #UNSGinPakistan pic.twitter.com/4OOq98GDPx
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 17, 2020
Also, his assertions are anticipated to galvanize the much-needed support from the global community, for Pakistan to reclaim its lost status in the international arena.
Antonio Guterres acknowledged a score of significant actions taken by Pakistan to mitigate the worst impact of climate change including the signatory billion tree plantation projects initiated by PM Khan across Pakistan.
" would like to thank the Government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan personally for inviting me, as well as Foreign Minister Qureshi for his strong support of the United Nations."
– UN Secretary General @antonioguterres #UNSGinPakistan pic.twitter.com/s0rPUVescc— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 17, 2020
Meanwhile, before his arrival in Pakistan, the United States chief diplomat for South Asian affairs Alice Wells said she was inspired by the Pakistani women who were serving in the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a tweet, Wells said: “Inspired by Pakistani women serving with distinction in the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC.
Read more: Pakistani Women as UN peacekeepers continue to inspire me: US Diplomat
“The first Pakistani all-female group of 15 peacekeepers received medals last week for their work performing a range of services to the conflict-affected eastern DRC.” the tweet added.
Even Antonio Guterres acknowledged the continuous and valuable of Pakistani troops for United Nations Peacekeeping missions before heading to Pakistan in a tweet.
Pakistan is one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to @unpeacekeeping efforts around the world.
I am travelling to Pakistan, where I plan to express my gratitude to the people #ServingForPeace. pic.twitter.com/81PuuIZ9kw
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 15, 2020
Members of the first-ever Pakistani Female Engagement Team (FET), which is deployed with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), were recently awarded the UN Medal at a ceremony in Adikivu in South Kivu, one of the provinces of the central African country.
This team was the first-ever Pakistani Female Engagement team in any UN peacekeeping mission around the world.