Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, in a meeting with Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, raised Islamabad’s concern about what he called “the increasing threat of terrorism from Afghan soil” and emphasized continued dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts.

Shehbaz Sharif announced the meeting with Guterres on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in a message published on X on Friday, September 25.

He said that the two sides discussed important regional and global challenges, including developments in the Middle East.

He added that Pakistan continues to consider dialogue and diplomacy as the solution to conflicts and the establishment of peace, especially in the Middle East.

In this meeting, the Prime Minister of Pakistan also reiterated his country’s support for the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and shared Islamabad’s concern about the rise of Islamophobia with the UN Secretary-General.

Shehbaz Sharif noted that he also discussed with Guterres the situation in Afghanistan and what he called “the increasing threat of terrorism originating from Afghan soil.”

This position comes as Pakistani officials in recent days have repeatedly called for verifiable action to prevent the use of Afghan soil against neighboring countries.

This meeting took place as security tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have increased in recent days, and both sides have exchanged accusations regarding the activities of armed groups and cross-border attacks.