Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Holds Productive Meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres
By Elaine Pasquini
New York City: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session in New York on September 26, 2025.
During their meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolute commitment to strengthening multilateralism, with the United Nations playing a central role in addressing the most pressing global challenges. Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the secretary-general’s remarkable leadership in promoting international peace and stability, as well as the UN’s role in strengthening global governance with developing countries.
Expressing gratitude for the secretary-general’s appreciation of the Pakistan government’s rescue and relief efforts during the recent devastating floods in the country, the prime minister underlined the need for concerted international actions including mobilization of additional climate finance to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the most climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized issues of critical national and regional importance to Pakistan, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and externally sponsored terrorism in Pakistan. He urged a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the Security Council. The prime minister commended the secretary-general’s leadership and sincere efforts for de-escalation of recent tensions between Pakistan and India.
Sharing serious concern over the burning issue of Gaza, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for efforts for an immediate ceasefire and ending the war, provision of humanitarian assistance, and opening a political horizon for an irreversible path to Palestinian statehood.
Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue playing a constructive role as a member of the UN Security Council for regional and international peace and security.
Secretary-General António Guterres lauded Pakistan’s strong voice and critical role at the UN, including principled positions at the Security Council.
The two agreed on the need for concerted efforts to further enhance and strengthen the indispensable role of the United Nations in advancing global peace and development.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
