Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Antonio Guterres to exchange views on the situation in South Asia, this afternoon. This was the third phone call between the two leaders in the last two weeks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep appreciation for the Secretary-General's leadership and diplomatic efforts to defuse the tense situation in South Asia that had been gravely endangered by India's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Pakistan. He stated that the Secretary-General's continued engagement and preventive diplomacy demonstrated his enduring commitment to protection of the UN Charter's principles and purposes, as well as to fostering peace in South Asia.
The Prime Minister noted that Pakistan had agreed to the ceasefire understanding in the larger interest of peace in the region. He reaffirmed Pakistan's strong resolve to promoting peace in South Asia, while defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.
The Prime Minister denounced India's aggression on the false pretext of terrorism, while characterizing it as a dangerous precedent of which the international community should take due cognizance. He also expressed concerns over the continued provocative and inflammatory remarks by Indian leadership, as a threat to the fragile regional peace. He emphasized that the just resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, was imperative to ensuring durable peace in South Asia, while urging the Secretary General to play his role in its just resolution.
The Secretary General welcomed the ceasefire understanding, while expressing condolences over the loss of civilian lives. He expressed his commitment to continued engagement with both sides to advance regional peace and stability. He said it was his duty to work for promotion of international peace, which was needed by the world.
Meanwhile in a statement issued on X on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said 'I thanked UNSG @antonioguterres during my call to him today, for his leadership and intense diplomatic efforts that helped defuse the recent crisis in South Asia. I told him that while we exercised our right to self defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan was committed to honouring the ceasefire understanding in the greater interest of regional peace. The world has witnessed Pakistan's responsible and measured actions during the past two weeks in the face of external military aggression. We will never allow violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity'.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the Prime Minister's House on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his profound gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the brotherly people of Azerbaijan for their unwavering solidarity with and support to Pakistan during the recent tensions in South Asia. This, the Prime Minister added, was reflective of the abiding friendship between the two nations.
While deeply appreciating the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan for the successful conduct of 'Operation Bunyan un Marsoos', the Prime Minister said Pakistani people were grateful to Allah the Almighty for this historic victory. He stressed Pakistan was a peace-loving nation and in this spirit, had agreed to accept the ceasefire understanding with India. However, Pakistan stood ready to resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in face of any future aggression, he added.
While highlighting the excellent nature of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations, the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation. He stated President Aliyev's historic visit to Pakistan last July, marked an important milestone by opening up new avenues of collaboration in the areas of economy, trade and investment. While recalling his visit to Baku in February, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's strong desire to elevate the fraternal ties to a mutually rewarding economic partnership.
Khazar Faradov warmly felicitated the Prime Minister and the entire Pakistani nation upon the success. He appreciated Pakistan's efforts for peace in South Asia. He noted President Aliyev attached great importance to the brotherly ties between the two countries. While speaking about progress made in implementation of understandings signed at the leadership level, he assured the Prime Minister of his full commitment to enhance cooperation between the two friendly countries, across all spheres of shared interest.