United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday lauded Pakistan’s “pivotal role” in mediating between the United States and Iran as he called on the parties to end the conflict and return to diplomacy. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he said: “Pakistan’s spirit of engagement is front and centre on issues of international peace and security. “I salute Pakistan’s leadership for helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the US and Iran and mediating that conflict. Your efforts helped deliver the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework for future negotiations. Every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role,” he said. “And from Islamabad, I want to send a loud and clear message to all parties: end the conflict, return to diplomacy and restore navigational rights in accordance with international law. There will never be peace in the region until the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people is recognised, as Pakistan has long championed,” he said. Dar meets UN chief Earlier in the day, Dar held a meeting with the UN chief, with the two discussing regional and global issues relating to peace and security, the Foreign Office (FO) said. The FO said the discussions covered Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the future of multilateralism. Dar briefed the UN secretary general on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), reaffirming Islamabad’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. According to the FO, Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad talks between the US and Iran. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes. The UN secretary general appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the UN, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation, the FO said. Guterres arrived in Islamabad in the early hours of Tuesday for a two-day official visit. In an earlier statement, the FO said the UN chief was visiting Pakistan from Oct 6 to 8 at the invitation of DPM Dar. “Upon arrival, the secretary-general was received by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir,” the FO said in a post on social media platform X. The visit comes as Guterres’ 10-year tenure as UN chief is set to end on Dec 31. During the visit, Guterres is set to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the FO said on Monday. The UN chief is also scheduled to visit the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and attend a briefing at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters. In its Monday statement, FO said that during Guterres’ visit, 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”. It stated that the visit will offer an important opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the UN and to exchange views on regional and international developments. PM Shehbaz met Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month. The two discussed major regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East. In that meeting, Guterres commended Pakistan’s role and strong voice at the UN, as well as its contribution to international peace and security. The UN chief also appreciated Pakistan’s role and sacrifices in countering terrorism. Guterres’ first visit to Pakistan as the UN secretary general was in February 2020, about three years after he was elected to the position in 2016. In recent months, two of the six candidates vying to succeed Guterres have visited Pakistan and met PM Shehbaz. During their separate meetings in July and September, respectively, María Fernanda Espinosa and Ambassador Olara Otunnu praised Pakistan’s role in efforts to promote