UN Secretary General welcomes Indian pilot’s release

Islamabad: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Friday welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to release the captured Indian fighter pilot. The UN chief’s Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, in reply to a question at the regular briefing at UN Headquarters in New York said we would encourage both parties to do whatever we can to de-escalate the situation. He said that the Secretary-General is in touch with both Pakistan and India at various levels. Meanwhile, the President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Espinosa has also expressed concern over the situation and urged both countries to resolve their disputes through dialogue. Her spokeswoman said that the president believes diplomatic negotiations provide the best means to settle problems.