Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civil honors, to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, recognizing his significant contributions to international service, leadership of the UN, and advancement of global peace and development.

According to Press Information Department, the unique honor, marking the first time a UN Secretary-General has received this award from Pakistan, was presented during a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The event was attended by a distinguished assembly, including Prime Minister Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as well as other members of the Federal Cabinet, Parliament, and the diplomatic corps.

During a meeting with Secretary-General Guterres, President Zardari commended his leadership and efforts toward peaceful resolutions and diplomacy. The President also underscored Pakistan’s stance on various regional and international issues, including support for Palestinian statehood, the necessity of dialogue for Pakistan-India relations, and the inviolability of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The discussions extended to counter-terrorism, with President Zardari reiterating Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism and addressing concerns related to Afghanistan’s territory. He emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to peacekeeping and its substantial contributions to United Nations missions.

Addressing climate change challenges, President Zardari called for enhanced global action and highlighted Pakistan’s climate-resilient initiatives post-2022 floods. He supported reforms in the United Nations Security Council to ensure equitable representation.

Secretary-General Guterres expressed gratitude for the award and acknowledged Pakistan’s resilience and contributions to the international community. The meeting also included UN officials, such as Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Resident Coordinator a.i. Pernille Ironside, alongside Pakistani dignitaries.