UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a large gathering of diplomats, senior United Nations officials, civil society representatives and journalists that the world needs to “widen its lens” and see in “full perspective” Pakistan’s contribution and role in various fields.
“We feel it in the poetry of Allama Iqbal. We see it in the vision of (Quaid-e-Azam) Muhammad Ali Jinnah. We hear it in the songs of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. We are inspired by it through the courage of Malala Yousafzai,” he said at a largely-attended reception hosted by outgoing Pakistan UN Ambassador Masood Khan on Tuesday. “And, on good days, we celebrate in the bats of the Pakistan cricket team!.”
Masood Khan will be returning to Islamabad next month after two years service as Ambassador to the UN.
He will be replaced by Maleeha Lodhi whom he called “a formidable diplomat.”
Ban paid tributes to the Ambassador as a “bridge builder” at the United Nations, and hoped he would continue to work to promote peace, tolerance and harmony.
“You have been a driving force on issues ranging from climate change to sustainable development to peacekeeping,” the UN chief said.
“Under your leadership, Pakistan played a strong role in the Security Council, including on promoting Security Council reforms and paving the way to a landmark resolution on peacekeeping operations,” the Secretary-General said.
“Thank you for your service not only to your country, but to the United Nations. Thank you for your immense support to the Organisation as well as to me personally. “This is a bittersweet occasion. I am sad to say farewell. But I am honoured to join so many colleagues and friends to say -thank you.”Earlier, Masood Khan profusely thanked those present,stating, “I will miss the United Nations. A part of me will always stay here.”
“I wish you all success this year as you shape the final post-2015 development agenda, take important decisions on environmental sustainability , forge new global compacts and partnerships to generate resources to fulfil our ambitious goals and review peacekeeping agenda.”
He also praised the leadership of Ban Ki-moon.
“You have inspired us all and taught us to work for change without being deterred by difficulties and without losing the sight of the big picture. You have touched our hearts with your humility. You are probably by far the most hardworking statesman in the world.”
In conclusion, Ambassador Masood Khan said, “Support to the United Nations is the keystone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan will be there for the UN for peace, for peacekeeping, for development, for human rights, for the rule of law, and for a just world.”
Earlier, Austrian Ambassador Martin Sajdik, who is also President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), also joined in paying tributes to Ambassador Masood Khan for his hardwork and dedication to duty.