ISLAMABAD, 20 March, 2021 (TON): While praising UN-SG Antonio Guterres’s leadership, Pakistan expressed support for Antonio’s re-appointment as the UN Secretary General for another five years, Pakistan Foreign Office said on Friday.

It was conveyed during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the UN Secretary General, the office reported.

The statement said, “Lauding the UNSG’s leadership during challenging times, the Foreign Minister welcomed his availability to serve a second term in office, and expressed Pakistan’s full support for Mr. Guterres’s re-appointment for another five-year tenure.”

Several other issues on the UN agenda also made into focus, that include the pandemic situation, economic recovery, international debt relief efforts, equitable availability of vaccines, peacekeeping, Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and the Afghan peace process.

The Un-SG called Pakistan a fundamental partner of the United Nations, for its constructive contributions towards the effective functioning of the Organization.

Also, the secretary general lauded Pakistan’s Presidency of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the promotion of the socio-economic development agenda.

Most importantly, the two leaders agreed that the Afghan peace process should be taken forward through consultations and in a way that ought to develop peace, stability and security in the region.