UN chief lands in Islamabad on 3-day Pakistan visit

UN Secretary-General António Guterres landed in Islamabad early Tuesday to undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 6–8 October 2026, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

 Upon arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, the Secretary-General was received by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir.

During the visit, the UN Secretary-General will hold meetings with Pakistan’s leadership, including the President, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces. 

The UN Secretary-General will visit the Headquarters of the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan and also attend a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan.

António Guterres will also have other engagements, during which, Pakistan’s efforts towards strengthening multilateralism, and international peace and security, as well as its strides towards disaster preparedness and early warning will be highlighted.

UN Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres arrived in Islamabad today to undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 6–8 October 2026, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Upon arrival, the Secretary-General was received by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir.

“Over the years, the Secretary-General has seen firsthand how Pakistan has stood by others, having its own people serve under the United Nations flag, and using its diplomacy and mediation to bring parties together when dialogue is most needed,” UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told APP while discussing the UN leader’s visit to Pakistan.

“This spirit is something we have seen time and again over the years, and it is one of Pakistan’s greatest contributions to our shared world,” he added.

The secretary-general has consistently praised Pakistan’s intense diplomatic efforts in the Middle East conflict, which led to the Memorandum of Understanding that established a ceasefire.

Speaking during his final press conference ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly high-level debate last month, the UN chief strongly advocated for a return to dialogue to bring a peaceful end to the war following the breakdown of the ceasefire.

Guterres is due to step down as the UN secretary-general at the end of this year after serving two five-year terms.

The Secretary-General was last in Pakistan in 2022, when the country’s vast areas were impacted by the devastating Monsoon floods. It was a solidarity visit that made a deep impression on the flood-hit people.

The UN chief will again visit the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where he will see firsthand the progress Pakistan has made in strengthening its preparedness and resilience since the floods.

The Secretary-General is expected to be back in New York on Thursday.