Islamabad (Pakistan Khabar) — President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Pakistan’s highest national civil award, the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Speaker of the National Assembly also attended the ceremony.
Antonio Guterres thanked Pakistan for the honor, while President Zardari praised his efforts for global peace and dialogue.
Addressing the ceremony, President Asif Ali Zardari said water should not be used as a weapon or for political pressure. He said resolving longstanding disputes, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir issue, was essential for establishing lasting peace.
The president said Afghan territory should not be used against Pakistan or any other country, and that dialogue was the best way to resolve regional disputes.
He also expressed Pakistan’s continued commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination. According to him, Pakistan continues to face attacks by terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.