UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres applauded Pakistan’s role at the United Nations at a largely attended dinner hosted by Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi at her residence on Thursday.
Guterres said he looks forward to visiting Pakistan when the Pakistani ambassador renewed an invitation to him on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had earlier this year extended to the secretary general an invitation to visit Pakistan when they met at Davos, Switzerland.
The dinner was attended by ambassadors from important countries representing all regions. Dishes from all the four provinces of Pakistan were served.
Ambassador Lodhi also presented to the secretary general a photograph showing him in a traditional Pakistani headdress. He greatly appreciated the photograph which was taken during one of his visits to Pakistan as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
The world’s top diplomat has on several occasions appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for almost four decades.
Welcoming the Secretary General, Ambassador Lodhi said, “You have visited Pakistan many times but this is the first time you have come to the Pakistan House”, referring to the official residence of Pakistan’s Ambassador.
A Pakistani Sitar Maestro, Akhlaq Hussain, enthralled the guests with a sterling performance, dedicating to Guteress a raga to his delight.
Secretary-General Guterres had earlier attended the reception to mark Pakistan Day. He expressed warm sentiments towards Pakistan on both the occasions.
