ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan has always remained a steadfast supporter of United Nations and the principle of its charter and will continue to play active role in its support, the President Office said in a statement.

He said this in a meeting with President of UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, who called on him in Islamabad on Friday night.

“Pakistan is proud to have contributed substantially to global peace through our robust participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions” President Alvi added that “we will continue to play our role to making this world a better, safer and more prosperous place for all.”

“He stressed that Pakistan wants this reform process to proceed on the basis of consensus which should be reflective of the aspiration of all member states,” President’s office statement read.

UNGA President also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Friday, and in a meeting PM Khan briefed Ms Espinos on Government’s plans for creation of jobs for young Pakistanis, launching of a massive poverty alleviation programme, five million housing units and billion tree tsunami. 

Referring to blasphemous caricatures, the Prime Minister conveyed the deep anguish of the people of Pakistan on such attempts to hurt the feelings of billions of Muslims.

“The Prime Minister urged the President to play her role in dissuading elements that carried out such hurtful acts. The importance of building harmony and inter-religious understanding and dialogue was also underlined,” PM Office said in a statement.

United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Fernanda Espinosa arrived in Islamabad on Friday as part of her first official visit to the region since taking office in September last year.

Espinosa, who is leading a UN delegation, is on a four-day tour to the country and is the second President of the General Assembly (PGA) to visit Pakistan since 2010.
After arriving in Islamabad, she met with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and held delegation-level talks, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Espinosa will also call on the president and the prime minister during her visit.
Apart from official engagements, the PGA will also meet members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), and visit Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Training Center. Espinosa will also address members of the academia, think tanks and students, the statement added.
Earlier, the UN’s Information Center said in a statement that Espinosa was “looking forward to strengthening the ties between Pakistan and the UN, promoting multilateralism, and continuing my work with Pakistan on the priorities for the 73rd Session of the GA (General Assembly).”