UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres telephoned Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif this evening to discuss the prevailing security situation in South Asia.            

The Secretary General briefed the Prime Minister on his outreach efforts for peace and stability in the region, and expressed his commitment to remain engaged with all interlocutors on the issue.

The Prime Minister appreciated the UN Secretary General's continued engagement and outreach efforts and welcomed his call for de-escalation.

Reiterating his offer of an independent, transparent and credible investigation, the Prime Minister expressed concern that India is yet to provide any evidence, but it is continuing to resort to provocative rhetoric and war mongering.                                                                  

He reiterated Pakistan's determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.  

The Prime Minister expressed his serious concern at Indian attempts to politicize international financial institutions in an attempt to harm Pakistan's economic interests.        

This was the second telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the UN Secretary General within a week.