UN Secy Gen arrives in Pakistan for two day trip

[S.U.R.B.]

UN Secy Gen arrives in Pakistan for two day trip​

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Islamabad on a two day official visit, early on Tuesday morning.
A tweet from a managed account of the United Nation’s spokesperson tweeted that the Secretary General had landed in Pakistan.

He arrives as tension between nuclear tipped neighbours Pakistan and India have seen tensions rise, in addition to an impending withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and mounting calls from within Pakistan against a persistent US drone programme that Pakistan claims violates international law.

Earlier, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has offered his mediation to the nuclear tipped neighbours to resolve the longstanding Kashmir issue, as tensions along its disputed border have simmered in recent weeks.

Expressing sorrow over the latest outbreak of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has underscored the need for Pakistan and India to resolve the “long-standing” issue.

“While I am saddened by the loss of lives in the course of all this conflict, I am relatively, reasonably encouraged by the recent move by both sides to engage in dialogue, to resolve their source of conflict through dialogue—that I will strongly welcome and support,” the secretary-general said in a joint interview with the UN-based local media correspondents before his departure for Islamabad as part of an official two-day visit, beginning on Tuesday.
“My offer of good office remains available. If both sides think this is useful and both sides agree, then I’ll be ready to offer my good offices,” Ban said in response to a question whether he could help leaders of India and Pakistan resolve the decades-old dispute, which is on the agenda of the UN Security Council.

But experts point out that India has consistently rebuffed offers of mediation, whether by the United Nations or any other third party, arguing that solutions must arise bilaterally.
Not only has cross border incidents across the line of control heightened tensions, violence within the Indian administered Kashmir which resulted in the imposition of a curfew which was further extended for 24 hours on Monday, has prompted concerns.
US drone strikes

Ban also urged the operating countries or any group operating armed drones to strictly adhere to the relevant provisions of international laws regulating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He was responding to a question about the deep concern and anger in Pakistan over the continuing US drone strikes in Pakistan that have killed and injured many civilians. “The UN really and strongly urges that all UAVs should be strictly regulated and controlled under international laws, including international humanitarian laws,” he added.

Afghanistan
Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, said he looked forward to discussing with the newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a number of important issues, including Afghanistan from where the United States-led forces are set to withdraw in 2014, posing a challenge because of the resulting security vaccum.

“We really hope to have closer and stronger cooperation, and the role of Pakistan in promoting peace and stability in neighbouring country—Afghanistan,” he said. “There should be a strong regional cooperation. This is why I am visiting Pakistan. It is one of our priority agendas, which I will be discussing with Prime Minister Sharif and President Zardari.”
He said he would also exchange ideas on how Pakistan could accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals—in education, poverty eradication and gender equality.
Ban, 69, described as a “good message” the first-ever transfer of power in Pakistan from a civilian government to another democratically elected government.

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He'll be here for the Pakistan’s Independence Day flag hosting ceremony in Islamabad on August 14.Mr. Secretary General is accompanied by his wife, Ban Soon-Taek and senior UN Officials.

 

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