UN chief meets Field Marshal Munir at GHQ, hails Pakistan's push for peaceful settlement of disputes
UN chief meets Field Marshal Munir at GHQ, hails Pakistan’s push for peaceful settlement of disputes
RAWALPINDI: Outgoing United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres held talks with Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters on Wednesday, praising Pakistan’s efforts to settle regional disputes through dialogue. The Guterres-Munir meeting formed the military leg of the UN chief’s farewell visit to Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Guterres called on the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff at GHQ Rawalpindi, where the two exchanged views on “matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and the United Nations’ role in promoting international peace and security”.
The UN chief paid tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of Pakistan and its armed forces in the war against terror and in UN peacekeeping missions. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s continued commitment to international peace and security, singling out its efforts towards the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.
Kashmir, Indus Waters Treaty and terrorism on the table
The two sides discussed regional stability, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India’s abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty, and terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, the ISPR said.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and highlighted the country’s contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. He also lauded the UN’s role under Guterres’s leadership in advancing peace, stability and humanitarian cooperation.
Pakistan has been one of the largest contributors of troops and police to UN peacekeeping operations for decades, with Pakistani contingents serving in missions across Africa and the Middle East.
Why the Guterres-Munir meeting matters
The GHQ meeting came a day after Guterres arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for what is expected to be his last official visit to Pakistan before stepping down as secretary-general. On Tuesday he held a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, where he commended Pakistan’s role in creating the conditions for dialogue between the United States and Iran.
“Your efforts helped deliver the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire, and the framework for future negotiations,” Guterres said at the press conference, adding that “every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role.”
He also praised Pakistan’s two years on the UN Security Council, saying the country had highlighted the value of multilateralism and diplomacy at a time of growing global division.
On terrorism, Guterres said Pakistan had “endured immense suffering”, noting that thousands of people had lost their lives, and reaffirmed that the UN stood with Islamabad in confronting the threat.
What happens next
Guterres’s visit is expected to continue through Thursday, with scheduled meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. His itinerary also includes a visit to the headquarters of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The visit gives Pakistan an opportunity to press its positions on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty with the outgoing UN leadership, while underlining its pitch as a regional mediator.
For context on the visit’s civilian leg, read our earlier coverage of Guterres hailing Pakistan’s US-Iran mediation in Islamabad and Dar’s meeting with Guterres on regional peace and security.
FAQs
Who did António Guterres meet at GHQ?
The outgoing UN secretary-general met Field Marshal Asim Munir, who serves as both Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
What did Guterres and Munir discuss?
According to the ISPR, they exchanged views on mutual interests, the regional security environment and the UN’s role in global peace. The discussion covered regional stability, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India’s abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty and terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
Why is Guterres visiting Pakistan?
The UN chief arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a farewell visit ahead of his retirement, holding meetings with the president, prime minister, foreign minister and the military leadership, alongside visits to UNMOGIP headquarters and the NDMA.
