WASHINGTON: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged authorities and political leaders in Pakistan to address the post-election situation through legal means, emphasising the need for a peaceful resolution.

At a news briefing at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, the secretary-general’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed his message, stating that the UN chief “urges the authorities and political leaders (in Pakistan) to maintain a calm atmosphere and to reject and refrain from all forms of violence and avoid any actions that could increase or enflame tensions”.

The political landscape in Pakistan remains unsettled following the Feb 8 elections, where no political party secured a clear majority to form a government. Despite the military’s reservations and allegations of poll fraud, supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan emerged unexpectedly strong.

Dujarric said the secretary-general was closely monitoring the situation and reiterated the call for calm and the rejection of violence.

The UN spokesperson emphasised the importance of resolving issues and disputes through established legal frameworks, stating that Mr Guterres “calls for the resolving of all issues and disputes through the established legal frameworks and for human rights and the rule of law to be fully respected in the interest of the people of Pakistan”.