President, PM discuss political, security situation

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Zardari reaffirms Pakistan’s support for Palestine in meeting with UN chief

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed on Tuesday the country’s overall political and security situation.

During a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the meeting was held after President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz on United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were also present at the meeting, according to sources.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people and called for international efforts to establish a Palestinian state under a two-state solution during a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The two sides discussed Palestine, Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, Afghanistan, climate change and other important regional and global issues.

President Zardari said Pakistan would continue to support the Palestinian people and back international efforts for a Palestinian state and a two-state solution.

On Kashmir, he said all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, should be settled through dialogue and in accordance with UN resolutions. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in South Asia and said outstanding issues with India should be resolved on the basis of equality.

President Zardari said the Indus Waters Treaty was internationally recognised and could not be suspended or put on hold unilaterally by any party. He said water should not be used as a weapon or as a means of political pressure.

On Afghanistan, the president said Pakistan faced terrorism from Afghan soil and called for an end to the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan.

He said Pakistan remained a committed partner in the global fight against terrorism and referred to the country’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions. More than 270,000 Pakistani personnel have served in UN peacekeeping operations.

Guterres praised Pakistan’s hospitality, its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and its contribution to international peace.

Separately, President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz on Guterres in recognition of his international services, diplomatic efforts and work towards the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The award was presented at a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, members of the federal cabinet and foreign ambassadors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Guterres on receiving Pakistan’s highest civil award and described the honour as recognition of his services to diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution.

Guterres said he accepted the honour on behalf of people working at the United Nations and thanked the Government of Pakistan. He said Pakistan combined strength and determination with compassion and praised Pakistani peacekeepers serving in UN missions, saying they presented a true picture of the country.

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