Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, expressed cautious optimism during a United Nations Security Council briefing on the situation in Syria on Friday regarding recent developments, while underscoring the complexity of the challenges facing the country. Ambassador Iftikhar welcomed the 30 January agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), voicing hope that its faithful implementation would bring stability and strengthen Syria&rsquo;s unity and territorial integrity.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 767px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022517880252772697&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1dfd8a62c6207cbc21c0529808556923ad9aba06&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2022517880252772697">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He noted that over the past 14 months, notable steps have been taken to advance Syria&rsquo;s political transition.&nbsp; Although gradual and intricate, these measures reflect movement toward stabilization after years of conflict. He emphasized the importance of continuing this trajectory in a steady and inclusive manner, anchored in national ownership, reinforcing state institutions, consolidating security and creating conditions conducive to durable peace.&nbsp;&nbsp;Constructive steps&nbsp;In this context, Ambassador Iftikhar also appreciated recent state initiatives, including the 16 January presidential decree concerning the rights of the Kurdish community, describing them as constructive steps toward national cohesion. At the same time, Ambassador Iftikhar stressed that significant challenges persist.&nbsp; He warned that the threat of terrorism remains acute, citing the continued presence and activities of terrorist groups, including foreign terrorist fighters, especially ETIM, as serious risks to Syria&rsquo;s stability and regional security.&nbsp; He called for these elements to be addressed in a coordinated and effective manner, consistent with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.&nbsp; Counter-terrorism efforts, he said, must remain precise and focused, without conflating state institutions with non-state actors, and detention facilities holding terrorists must be managed and transitioned responsibly to prevent instability or spillover.&nbsp;Humanitarian situation&nbsp;He also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, with millions of Syrians in need of sustained assistance as infrastructure, basic services, and livelihoods remain under severe strain.&nbsp; Ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, alongside enhanced early recovery support, he said, is essential to alleviate suffering and restore dignity.&nbsp; With the lifting of sanctions, he noted, there is an opportunity to gradually shift toward revitalizing economic and commercial activity to enable meaningful recovery. Ambassador Iftikhar strongly condemned violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and other destabilizing actions by Israel, calling them unacceptable.&nbsp; He stressed the need for full respect for existing agreements and for Syria&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the Council to ensure Israel&rsquo;s full withdrawal from occupied Syrian territory in compliance with its resolutions. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with the Government and people of Syria, he said the country would continue to engage constructively in support of a stable, unified, and sovereign Syria.&nbsp;

Foreign Affairs

Ambassador Iftikhar welcomes the 30 January agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), voicing hope that its faithful implementation will bring stability and strengthen Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. 

Pakistan welcomes Syria-SDF Agreement, urges inclusive political transition

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned in the &ldquo;strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing terrorist attack&quot; at a mosque in Pakistan&rsquo;s capital last week.&nbsp; A suicide bombing outside a mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan&rsquo;s capital martyred numerous people and injured more than 100 during Friday prayers, the Islamabad city administration said, in the deadliest attack in the capital in more than a decade.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 767px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022348854230725102&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=c0c361a4d520cc4c142b728ec6d5437ab625901d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2022348854230725102"></iframe></div></div>While condemning the reprehensible act, the Security Council said that the terrorism resulted in the &ldquo;grievous loss of at least 32 Pakistani nationals and 92 injured.&rdquo; The council expressed their &ldquo;deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to Pakistani society, wishing a &ldquo;speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.&rdquo; The council members also reaffirmed &ldquo;that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.&rdquo; They called for holding the &ldquo;perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,&rdquo; urging all states to cooperate actively with the Pakistan government. The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever, and by whomsoever committed,&rdquo; the statement issued on Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad&rsquo;s X account said. The members &ldquo;reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.&rdquo;

Security

While condemning the reprehensible act, UNSC says terrorism resulted in the “grievous loss of at least 32 Pakistani nationals and 92 injured”; council members also reaffirm “that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

UN condemns ‘heinous, cowardly’ Islamabad mosque suicide bombing in ‘strongest terms’ 

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of its sanctions monitoring team overseeing measures against the Taliban for another year, keeping the group under UN sanctions amid ongoing concerns about security and human rights in Afghanistan. All 15 members of the Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution under the 1988 sanctions regime, which targets the Taliban and affiliated entities deemed to threaten Afghanistan&rsquo;s peace, stability, and security. The draft resolution was prepared by the United States, renewing the Monitoring Team&rsquo;s mandate until Feb. 17, 2027.&nbsp;The decision means the UN monitoring team will continue to track implementation of sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargo measures.&nbsp; Travel-ban exemptions previously granted to several Taliban leaders were not renewed. The Taliban has repeatedly urged the international community to lift sanctions, arguing that restrictions hinder economic recovery and diplomatic engagement.&nbsp; However, members of the Security Council cited persistent concerns over the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, sweeping restrictions on women and girls, and the absence of an inclusive political framework as reasons to maintain the measures. Diplomats said the extension reflects the Council&rsquo;s view that conditions on the ground have not improved sufficiently to justify easing the sanctions regime.&nbsp; The monitoring team will continue reporting regularly to the Council on compliance and developments related to security threats and governance in Afghanistan.&nbsp; As there is an ongoing threat from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), ISIL-Khorasan (ISIL-K), Majeed Brigade, and Al-Qaeda. The report pointed to growing concern across the region about cross-border attacks, the radicalization of vulnerable communities, and the use of commercial satellite communications and artificial intelligence by militant groups to advance their operations. &nbsp;While Afghan authorities emphasize no terrorist groups are present in the country, the Monitoring Team stated that &ldquo;no UN member state supported that assessment.&rdquo; On Al-Qaeda, the report said the group&rsquo;s intent and capability for external operations remain unchanged. It continues to serve as a training and advisory hub, particularly for TTP, and &ldquo;favors spectacular attacks aimed at attracting global media attention,&rdquo; highlighting the continued threat beyond the immediate region. The Monitoring Team warned that TTP could deepen cooperation with Al-Qaeda-aligned groups, potentially expanding the threat beyond the region.&nbsp;

Afghanistan

UN monitoring team will continue to track implementation of sanctions overseeing measures against the Taliban for another year; all 15 members of the Security Council, unanimously, adopted the resolution under the 1988 sanctions regime, which targets the Taliban and affiliated entities deemed to threaten Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and security.

UN Security Council extends Afghanistan sanctions monitoring mandate

ISLAMABAD: Iran has said it seeks neither escalation nor confrontation but warned that any act of aggression against it would be met with a decisive and lawful response under the UN Charter. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Iran&rsquo;s Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi said any threat or use of force against Iran, under any pretext including claims of protecting protesters or supporting the Iranian people, would constitute a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter. He said such actions would breach Article 2(4) of the Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force, as well as Article 2(7) on non-intervention in internal affairs. Darzi said there was a clear legal, moral and political responsibility to reject and condemn such unlawful actions. &ldquo;The credibility of the United Nations and the survival of the Charter itself now depend on whether these fundamental prohibitions are upheld or eroded,&rdquo; he said. Darzi stressed that while Iran does not seek escalation, any <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/signals-point-to-imminent-us-strikes-on-iran-report" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">direct or indirect aggression</a> would draw a proportionate and lawful response under Article 51 of the Charter, adding that responsibility for the consequences would lie with those who initiate such acts. He accused the United States of using the meeting to conceal its alleged role in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/iranian-ambassador-says-recent-unrest-was-foreignbacked-terrorism-not-protest" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">fueling unrest in Iran</a> and laying the groundwork for political destabilization and possible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-keeps-iran-air-strikes-on-table-white-house-says" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">military intervention</a> under what he described as a humanitarian narrative. He also objected to the participation of civil society briefers, saying they represented the political agendas of the United States and Israel. &lsquo;US stands with brave people of Iran&rsquo;Ambassador Mike Waltz of the United States thanked today&rsquo;s briefers for their courage &ndash; &quot;both of whom have personally targeted for assassination both of whom have been tortured &ldquo;at the hands of this brutal regime&rdquo;. &ldquo;The level of violence, this level of repression that the Iranian regime has unleashed against its own citizens and its own people has repercussions for international peace and security,&rdquo; he said. The people of Iran are demanding their freedom like never before in the Islamic Republic&rsquo;s brutal history, he said. &ldquo;President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America stands by the brave people of Iran,&rdquo; he affirmed. &nbsp;&ldquo;Regardless of its excuses, the regime is solely responsible for the economic misery of the Iranian people&rdquo; and &ldquo;will be held accountable&rdquo;. &lsquo;US fueling hysteria around Iran&rsquo;Russia criticized the US approach, with Ambassador Vassily A. Nebenzia accusing Washington of escalating tensions and fueling what he called hysteria around Iran. He said the Security Council meeting, requested by the United States, was an attempt to justify interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Nebenzia warned that the US was threatening strikes aimed at overthrowing an undesirable regime, rather than addressing the issue through the Council&rsquo;s mandate to maintain international peace and security. &lsquo;Force can never solve problems&rsquo;China also voiced strong opposition to any <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/turkey-calls-for-dialogue-to-resolve-iran-unrest-foreign-minister" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">use of force</a>. Ambassador Sun Lei said the United States had openly issued threats against Iran, stressing that sovereign equality and non-interference are the most fundamental norms of international relations. He said the use of force could never solve problems and warned that military adventurism would push the region towards an abyss, adding that no action in defiance of international law could be tolerated.

Iran’s Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi speaks at the United Nations Security Council meeting on January 15, 2026

Middle East

US accuses Tehran of violent repression with repercussions for international peace and security; Russia says Washington fueling hysteria around Iran to justify interference; China warns military adventurism would push the region towards instability.

Iran says no escalation sought, attack to trigger lawful response

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for respect of nations&#39; political independence following a US military operation in Venezuela that Washington defended as a police action against Caracas&#39;s &quot;fugitive&quot; leader.&nbsp;US forces&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/explosions-heard-in-venezuelas-capital-afp-journalist" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">seized Nicolas Maduro and his wife</a>&nbsp;over the weekend, ending 12 years of increasingly authoritarian rule by the left-wing leader, whom Washington accused of running a cartel and targeted with a $50 million bounty.&nbsp;Guterres urges &quot;respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states,&quot; according to remarks read on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo during an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the crisis.&nbsp;&quot;I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification (of) instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted,&quot; the UN chief&#39;s remarks said.&nbsp;Colombia &mdash; a new member of the Security Council that formally requested the meeting, and whose leader, Gustavo Petro, has clashed with Donald Trump &mdash; also expressed concerns about US intentions.&nbsp;The UN Charter permits &quot;the use of force only under exceptional circumstances &mdash; in legitimate defense, in the face of an armed attack or when there is an express authorization by this Council,&quot; said Colombian ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres.&nbsp;Even then, &quot;this does not amount to assuming political control of another state,&quot; she added.&nbsp;&#39;Era of lawlessness&#39;US Ambassador Mike Waltz defended what he described as a &quot;surgical law enforcement operation facilitated by the US military against two indicted fugitives of American justice, narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores,&quot; his wife.&nbsp;&quot;As Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio has said, there is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country,&quot; Waltz said.&nbsp;He added, nonetheless, that &quot;you cannot continue to have the largest energy reserves in the world under the control of adversaries of the United States.&quot;&nbsp;US ally Britain called during the meeting for a &quot;safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government,&quot; with its acting UN representative, James Kariuki, saying Venezuelans &quot;deserve a government which reflects their vote at the ballot box.&quot;&nbsp;Some Security Council members criticized Washington&#39;s actions, including Venezuelan allies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/china-calls-on-us-to-immediately-release-venezuelas-maduro" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Russia and China</a>, which demanded Maduro&#39;s release.&nbsp;Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia slammed the US operation that seized Maduro as a &quot;harbinger of a turn back to the era of lawlessness and US domination by force.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;We hope that you will abandon double standards and that you will not attempt to justify such an egregious act of aggression,&quot; Nebenzia said.&nbsp;Venezuela&#39;s representative, Samuel Moncada, requested the Security Council&#39;s support in demanding that the United States &quot;fully respect the immunities of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.&quot;&nbsp;Maduro and his wife both appeared at a New York court on Monday, entering pleas of not guilty.

Americas

Some Security Council members, including Venezuelan allies Russia and China, demand Maduro's release.

UN chief urges 'respect' for sovereignty at Venezuela emergency meeting

ISLAMABAD: A United Nations Security Council report released this month has dismissed the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s claim that militant groups are not using Afghan territory for cross-border violence, calling the assertion &ldquo;not credible&rdquo; and warning that neighboring countries increasingly see Afghanistan as a source of regional insecurity due to ongoing operations by several armed groups based there.&nbsp;The findings are included in the 16th report of the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, submitted to the United Nations Security Council under resolution 2763.&nbsp;The report stated that the Afghan Taliban, who are the de facto rulers in Afghanistan, &ldquo;continue to maintain that no terrorist groups operate in, or from, its territory,&rdquo; but added that such claims &ldquo;are not credible.&rdquo;&nbsp;The Taliban promised under the 2020 Doha Agreement to prevent Afghan soil from being used to threaten other countries. While the report noted ongoing Taliban action against Islamic State Khorasan, it said their attitude toward other militant groups has been significantly different.&nbsp;According to the monitoring team, &ldquo;a wide range of Member States consistently report that ISIL-K, Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida (QDe.004), the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (QDe.088), also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah (not listed), Ittihad-ul Mujahideen Pakistan (not listed), and others are present in Afghanistan. Some groups have used or are continuing to use Afghanistan to plan and execute external attacks. Regional Member States generally see Afghanistan as a source of insecurity.&rdquo;&nbsp;The monitoring team stated that TTP had conducted &ldquo;numerous high-profile attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil,&rdquo; leading to cross-border tensions, casualties, and disruptions in bilateral trade.&nbsp;&ldquo;These attacks have led to cross-border military confrontations, causing casualties as well as disruptions to bilateral trade,&rdquo; the report stated.&nbsp;&ldquo;Taliban authorities continue to deny and deflect responsibility for failing to restrain TTP,&rdquo; the report said, noting that opinions within the Taliban range from viewing the group as a liability to maintaining sympathy and historical loyalty.&nbsp;The Monitoring Team reported that attacks by TTP increased throughout 2025, noting that while Pakistani security forces thwarted many, estimates indicate there have already been more than 600 attacks in Pakistan this year. Many incidents were described as &ldquo;complex in nature, involving multiple, coordinated attackers using methods such as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report estimated that &ldquo;TTP maintained a strength of around 6,000 fighters, with locations in the provinces of Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, and Paktiya.&rdquo; It also included &ldquo;more than a dozen subgroups or factions,&rdquo; with the group&rsquo;s leadership maintaining a presence in Kabul.&nbsp;These attacks, the report said, have led to cross-border military clashes and disruptions to bilateral trade, increasing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.&nbsp;Despite the broader militant presence in the region, the report acknowledged counterterrorism progress by Pakistan, including several high-profile arrests linked to Islamic State Khorasan, which it said has helped weaken the group&rsquo;s operational&nbsp;ability.

Screengrab from a video showing Afghan Taliban fighters patrolling the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Spin Boldak following fresh clashes between the two countries on October 15, 2025. (AFP)

A United Nations Security Council report released this month has rejected the Afghan Taliban’s claim that militant groups are not using Afghan territory for cross-border violence, calling the assertion 'not credible' and warning that neighboring states increasingly view Afghanistan as a source of regional insecurity due to continued operations by several armed groups based there.

UNSC report questions Taliban claims of denying militant safe havens

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s UN envoy stressed that meaningful Security Council reform requires abolishing or strictly curbing the veto, rather than adding new permanent members, because expanding veto power would only deepen the Council&rsquo;s paralysis. A post on X by Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Mission to the UN, shared the statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN during the Debate in the General Assembly on the &ldquo;Right to Veto&rdquo; on Thursday.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1991662255163789421&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=9a25cdff83b41524da909d6c6eeee6cc5642d53c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 768px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1991662255163789421">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Ambassador Ahmad said, &ldquo;the Security Council, which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, has often been paralyzed or incapacitated, due to pursuit of narrow interests, and the strategic rivalries between its permanent members that lead to the misuse or abuse of the veto.&rdquo; &lsquo;Cascading effect&rsquo;&ldquo;It thus prevents the Council from discharging its duties. And then we also are aware of the &ldquo;cascading effect&rdquo; of the veto that gives the permanent members unmatched influence and profile throughout the UN system,&rdquo; he added. Pakistan&rsquo;s representative said: &ldquo;It comes as no surprise therefore, and past and recent experiences have confirmed that the abolition, or restraint on the use of veto, will have to be an integral part of the reform of the Security Council.&rdquo; &lsquo;Expanded Security Council&rsquo;&nbsp;Ambassador Ahmad said that &ldquo;the existing permanent members, and by the way &ndash; they are pretty much united on that &ndash; they are opposed to any change in the UN Charter that would chip away on their power or privilege as permanent members.&rdquo; &ldquo;And it is for this reason also that Pakistan, together with the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group, remains opposed as a matter of principle, to the addition of any new individual permanent members on an expanded Security Council,&rdquo; he added. The Pakistani envoy said, &ldquo;More permanent members and more vetoes will only aggravate the problem, and multiply the likelihood of paralysis or inaction by the Security Council.&rdquo; &lsquo;Problem cannot be the solution&rsquo;&ldquo;Let us be clear. The problem cannot be the solution.&rdquo; Ambassador Ahmad said that &ldquo;various proposals have been advanced over the years concerning the veto - ranging from its abolition, to restricting or limiting its use.&rdquo; &ldquo;The alternative is status quo,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;We believe that the veto right of the existing permanent members should be abolished or at least severely restricted and that the right of veto certainly must not be expanded.&rdquo; He said Pakistan believes that this can be better balanced by, on the one hand, placing restrictions on the use of the veto and, on the other, by enhancing the number and role of the elected members of the Council through larger representation on the Council and thereby changing the threshold for approval of decisions by the Council - to make it more democratic and to serve as an effective check on the use of veto by the permanent members. &ldquo;So currently we have 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members, a ratio of 1:2 &ndash; you increase the elected members to 20, for a ratio of 1:4. That will significantly change the balance of power in the Council in a democratic way &ndash; putting the power to approve or block in the hands of the majority,&rdquo; he said. The ambassador said, &ldquo;What we want is Reform for All &ndash; Privilege for None.&rdquo;

​Ambassador Ahmad said, 'the Security Council... has often been paralyzed or incapacitated, due to pursuit of narrow interests, and the strategic rivalries between its permanent members that lead to the misuse or abuse of the veto.”

Pakistan warns against expanding UNSC’s permanent membership  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan told the UN Security Council (UNSC) that years of fighting in Ukraine have proven there is no military solution, urging all sides to pursue restraint, ceasefire, and a renewed commitment to dialogue and diplomacy. &ldquo;Pakistan has stated that the continued fighting in Ukraine over the years has made it amply clear to all the stakeholders that there is no military solution to the conflict,&rdquo; said a press release shared by Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Mission to the UN on its X account on Friday. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1991644595986526420&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=dd0b837670ac8363ea19a5b5da4113d92dc99ca5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&ldquo;Pakistan again reiterated its call for all parties to demonstrate restraint, take meaningful strides towards de-escalation, and work earnestly towards a ceasefire through a sustained and meaningful dialogue process,&rdquo; it said. &quot;Delivering the national statement in the UNSC on the situation in Ukraine, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, regretted that the diplomatic momentum generated at the start of the year by the adoption of UNSCR 2774 &ndash; which perhaps could have been more effective if it were endorsed unanimously, has yet to bear fruit,&rdquo; the press release said. &lsquo;Push for peace&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We welcome the renewed push for peace, including mediation efforts by T&uuml;rkiye and Qatar. A solution that is acceptable to all relevant parties can silence the guns and ensure lasting peace,&rdquo; he said. He said that given the complex historical context and the intricate nature of the Ukraine conflict, Pakistan believes that the path forward should be guided by wisdom and dialogue rather than continued hostilities and confrontation. Ambassador Iftikhar urged all parties to demonstrate political will, engage in a meaningful, structured, and result-oriented dialogue that addresses the security concerns of all sides; most importantly, it is anchored in the principles of the UN Charter and international law; and respects the relevant multilateral agreements, the press release said. &ldquo;A ceasefire is the first logical and necessary step in this process,&rdquo; he maintained. &lsquo;Dialogue and diplomacy&rsquo;&nbsp;He said that Pakistan is a firm believer in the power of dialogue and diplomacy and will continue to support all endeavors aimed at resolving the issue peacefully and in a just, comprehensive, and durable manner. He said that Pakistan is deeply perturbed by the expansion of hostilities, targeting of civilians and civil infrastructure, and the exponentially mounting humanitarian toll. &ldquo;Protection of civilian lives and infrastructure should remain paramount. We reiterate the call for upholding the principles of International humanitarian law,&rdquo; he added.

Pakistan reiterates ‘call for all parties to demonstrate restraint, take meaningful strides towards de-escalation, and work earnestly towards a ceasefire’; welcomes the ‘renewed push for peace, including mediation efforts by Türkiye and Qatar.’

Dialogue, diplomacy can help end Russia-Ukraine war: Pakistan tells UNSC

UNITED NATIONS: The head of the United Nations Security Council&rsquo;s 1267 al-Qaida sanctions committee on Wednesday warned of the &ldquo;serious threat&rdquo; posed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying the terrorist group has conducted numerous high-profile attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil, &ldquo;some of which incurred mass casualties.&rdquo; According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Ambassador Sandra Jensen Landi of Denmark, briefing the 15-member Security Council in her capacity as chair of the committee, said that &quot;TTP, with its approximately 6,000 fighters, is another serious threat emanating from the region, receiving both logistical and substantial support from the de facto [Taliban] authorities.&rdquo; Her remarks came as the Council reviewed updates from the heads of three subsidiary bodies overseeing sanctions against Daesh and al-Qaida, United Nations counterterrorism efforts, and measures aimed at curbing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-state actors. &#39;Al-Qaida decimated largely due to Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts&#39;Responding to the briefing, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Usman Jadoon, said Pakistan &ldquo;has rendered invaluable sacrifices in its efforts to eradicate this menace,&rdquo; citing more than 80,000 casualties and billions of dollars in economic losses. &ldquo;Al-Qaida was decimated largely due to Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts,&rdquo; he said. Jadoon said Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;valiant security forces and law enforcement agencies continue to counter the terrorism threat emanating from Afghanistan, where entities like ISIL-K, TTP and its affiliates, BLA and its Majeed Brigade are thriving under the patronage of their hosts and backed by our principal adversary and net destabilizer in the region,&rdquo; APP said. He stressed that the 1267 Committee&rsquo;s sanctions framework must &ldquo;reflect ground realities,&rdquo; adding that listing and delisting decisions should be taken &ldquo;in a fair, transparent and judicious manner and without political considerations.&rdquo; Calling for a comprehensive approach, the Pakistani diplomat said the United Nations counterterrorism system &ldquo;must also possess the necessary tools to designate violent, far-right, extreme right-wing, ultranationalist, xenophobic and Islamophobic groups around the world,&rdquo; APP reported.&nbsp; China&rsquo;s representative echoed Pakistan&rsquo;s concerns, urging committee members to support the listing of the Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade. Doing so, he said, would &ldquo;send a strong signal of zero tolerance for terrorism.&rdquo; Council members noted that the threat of terrorism continues to evolve across regions, with armed groups increasingly exploiting modern technologies to expand operational reach and evade monitoring.

A wide view of the Security Council meeting that heard briefings by Chairs of subsidiary bodies of the Security Council (UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

The head of the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 al-Qaida sanctions committee warned of the 'serious threat' posed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, saying the terrorist group has conducted numerous high-profile attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil, 'which incurred mass casualties.'

UNSC panel flags 'high-profile’ Afghan Taliban-backed TTP attacks on Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has renewed its call for international action against the proliferation of illicit arms in Afghanistan, warning that terrorist groups are exploiting abandoned modern weapons, posing a direct threat not only to Pakistan but to the international community and regional security. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), said the acquisition and use of these &ldquo;modern and potent&rdquo; weapons by groups such as ISIL-K, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Fitna Al-Khawarij, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Majeed Brigade has led to the loss of thousands of innocent lives. &ldquo;These terrorist entities, operating with impunity from Afghan soil and supported by external actors, have used these weapons against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement agencies,&rdquo; Ambassador Asim said, calling the situation a &ldquo;serious challenge to peace and security in Pakistan and the broader region.&rdquo; Citing UN reports, he expressed concern over the presence of large stockpiles of advanced arms and ammunition in Afghanistan, emphasizing that the changing nature of warfare, which includes drones, AI-enabled weapons, 3D-printed arms, and night-vision equipment, necessitates a revision of conventional arms control mechanisms. Pakistan also reiterated its commitment to the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons and called for more international collaboration to combat illicit arms proliferation. &ldquo;Despite their name, these weapons are neither &lsquo;small&rsquo; nor &lsquo;light&rsquo; in their impact,&rdquo; the ambassador added, highlighting that small arms remain the second most frequently used weapons in global terrorist attacks after explosives. Pakistan&rsquo;s warning at the Security Council is part of a broader diplomatic campaign ongoing for over a year across multilateral forums. In April 2025, at an Arria-Formula meeting of the UN Security Council on arms management, Counsellor Syed Atif Raza said that &ldquo;terrorist armed groups are in possession of billions worth of illicit arms abandoned in Afghanistan.&rdquo;&nbsp; During the Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms in June 2024, Pakistan called for a &ldquo;concerted international effort to recover weapons from terrorist organizations such as the TTP, BLA, and ISIL-K.&rdquo; These interventions underscore Islamabad&rsquo;s argument that unchecked arms proliferation in Afghanistan is undermining peace efforts in South Asia and enabling cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has also raised concerns bilaterally with the United States, who withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, leaving behind an extensive inventory of weaponry circulating through black markets. On Jan. 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: &ldquo;The presence of US advance weapons in Afghanistan, left behind in the aftermath of the withdrawal of its troops in August 2021, has been an issue of profound concern for the safety and security of Pakistan and its citizens.&rdquo; On March 4, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, discussing the leftover weapons and urging Washington to ensure these arms do not fall into the hands of militants. Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, has also raised the matter in Washington policy circles, emphasizing the need for American assistance to strengthen Pakistan&rsquo;s counter-terrorism capabilities under Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. At the regional level, Pakistan and Afghanistan have held direct discussions on cross-border security. During Deputy Prime Minister Dar&rsquo;s visit to Kabul in April 2025, both sides agreed not to allow their territories to be used for &ldquo;illicit activities,&rdquo; reaffirming cooperation on border management and counterterrorism. The ambassador concluded his remarks by calling for enhanced international cooperation and the full implementation of the UN&rsquo;s framework on small arms. &ldquo;The international community cannot ignore the evolving threats posed by these weapons. Action is needed now to safeguard peace and security across the region,&rdquo; he said.

Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council to act against illicit arms proliferation in Afghanistan, warning that abandoned modern weapons empower terrorist groups like TTP and ISIL-K, posing a direct threat to regional and international security.

Articles tagged with "UNSC"