It was a milestone moment for Pakistan when the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Dennis Francis, announced that Pakistan had won the election to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), securing 182 out of 193 votes. Following Pakistan’s victory, the hall of the UN General Assembly erupted in loud applause. Pakistan will continue as a non-permanent member for two years, from 2025 to 2026. Pakistan aims to work collectively with both permanent and non-permanent Security Council members to promote peace, uphold the UN Charter and its principles, combat terrorism, strengthen multilateral diplomacy, push for UN reforms, and address global challenges and responsibilities.
The UNSC is one of the most influential bodies of the UN. It is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Additionally, it focuses on identifying threats, resolving disputes, imposing economic sanctions, authorizing military action, establishing peacekeeping missions, recommending new members, and approving amendments to the UN Charter. The UNSC consists of 15 members: five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — and ten non-permanent members who serve two-year terms and are elected on a rotational basis. Seats are divided on a regional basis, such as three seats for the African group, two seats for the Asia-pacific group, one seat for the Eastern European group, two seats for the Latin American and Caribbean group (GRULAC), and two seats for the Western European and others groups (WEOG). These non-permanent members hold voting power for resolutions, sanctions, and peacekeeping operations. Pakistan replaced Japan as the Asia-Pacific representative and became an eight-time member of the UNSC.
Pakistan has previously served on the UNSC in the terms 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69, and 1952-53. In the past, Pakistan has made exceptional contributions to its work aimed at strengthening international peace and security and preventing conflicts. Over the last fifty years, Pakistan has been a leading contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping missions. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan has deployed over 4,000 troops and personnel in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s victory and praised the country’s performance, commitment, and achievements in the UN General Assembly in promoting peace and security. Moreover, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working constructively with all the UNSC members and the broader UN membership”. (Foreign Affairs June 2024) Additionally, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations General Assembly, Munir Akram, stated that Pakistan always actively participated in the constructive and enhanced promotion of the peace and, principle of the UN charter in both the General Assembly and Security Council. Similarly, Pakistan will commit to all its responsibilities and challenges according to the UN charter.
However, a crucial aspect of Pakistan’s position in the UNSC is its approach to regional disputes and its role in global discussions. Since the independence of Pakistan and India, Kashmir has remained a disputed territory between the two countries. Although the UNSC has passed over a dozen resolutions on the issue, the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved. Pakistan’s non-permanent membership will allow discussion of the Kashmir dispute during the UNSC’s decision-making process. Pakistan will also highlight India’s role in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), citing the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A as a violation of international law and human rights. Furthermore, Pakistan will draw the global community’s attention to the suffering of the Kashmiri people and the human rights violations they endure. Pakistan has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute. Similarly, Pakistan has always advocated for an independent Palestine. It has also voted in favor of several UNSC resolutions supporting an independent Palestine, such as Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which form the basis for a two-state solution Pakistan will urge the UNSC to implement a two-state resolution and recognize Palestine as an independent state. Additionally, Pakistan will address regional instability caused by terrorism and cross-border attacks against Pakistan by the TTP, Daesh, and other militant groups operating from Afghanistan. Pakistan will call on the international community to assist in combating terrorism and promoting peace and stability in the region.
Pakistan’s election to the UNSC also presents an opportunity to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties with major powers and regional neighbors, particularly in the areas of strategic cooperation and trade alliances. Being non-permanent, Pakistan will become part of the UNSC’s decision-making process, which will advocate for reform of UN chatter particularly increasing the number of non-permanent UNSC members to ensure broader representation.
On the Economic front, Pakistan’s UNSC membership could assist mitigate challenges such as economic sanctions linked to the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project. Moreover, Pakistan has consistently urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reform or reconsider its stringent policies towards developing countries. That will be also an agenda for Pakistan to engage with the IMF to push more favorable policies for developing countries.
On the other hand, according to the Climate Risk Index 2024, Pakistan has ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country due to climate-induced. As a developing nation, Pakistan will use its UNSC platform to call for global cooperation on climate-induced, establish sustainable development projects, and expand humanitarian aid for climate-affected countries.
Pakistan’s election to the UNSC marks a significant moment in world politics, providing an opportunity to shape global governance. As a UNSC member, Pakistan must now prioritize conflict resolution, counter-terrorism, sustainable development initiatives, and global peace efforts. Now, Pakistan’s responsibilities have been extending beyond national interests; as the representative of the Asia-Pacific region, Pakistan must address economic cooperation, regional stability, and peace. It is also a testament moment for Pakistan’s flourishing leadership in global diplomacy and contributions to promote global peace, and security while advancing its national as well as regional interest.
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