Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that the United Nations Security Council&#39;s Annual Report for 2025 underscores the continued relevance of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the question of Palestine, stressing that both issues remain on the Council&#39;s agenda and have significant implications for international peace and security. Speaking during the presentation of the Security Council&#39;s Annual Report to the UN General Assembly, Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said that more than 20 communications concerning the India-Pakistan question were brought to the Security Council&#39;s attention during the reporting period. He noted that the Council also held closed consultations on the issue in May 2025, demonstrating that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the Council&#39;s agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention. The ambassador said Pakistan believes durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, including their right to self-determination. Referring to the situation in the Palestinian territories, Ahmad said the continuing crisis in Gaza remained high on the Security Council&#39;s agenda.&nbsp; He stressed the need for the full and faithful implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803. He reiterated Pakistan&#39;s support for the Palestinian people&#39;s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.<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" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 744px; 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=2063062211392630878&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5801%2F&sessionId=fee96707af9776f0094eef466d291336932d3322&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The envoy said the Security Council&#39;s report reflected the body&#39;s engagement with a broad range of conflicts and crises across the world, as well as thematic issues related to international peace and security, including the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Ahmad also highlighted the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788, sponsored by Pakistan, saying it reflected a shared commitment to strengthening conflict prevention and dispute resolution mechanisms despite geopolitical divisions within the Council. He further noted that Pakistan coordinated and drafted the introduction to the Security Council&#39;s 2025 Annual Report in its capacity as Council president in July 2025, to make the report comprehensive, objective and consensus-based. Pakistan was entrusted with preparing the report&#39;s introduction before its adoption by consensus in May 2026.&nbsp; The Security Council&#39;s Annual Report covers the body&#39;s work from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and provides an overview of its efforts to address conflicts, humanitarian crises and emerging threats to international peace and security.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, speaking at the Security Council on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on March 26, 2026. (File photo: X/@PakistanUN_NY)

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan ambassador says the Council also held closed consultations on the issue in May 2025, demonstrating that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the Council's agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention.

Security Council report highlights Kashmir, Palestine issues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reiterated its steadfast support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of Libya, emphasizing that a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process remains the only viable path toward lasting peace, stability, and reconciliation in the country. Delivering Pakistan&rsquo;s statement during the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on Libya and the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, thanked ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan for presenting the Prosecutor&rsquo;s 31st report pursuant to Security Council resolution 1970 (2011), said a statement shared by Pakistan&rsquo;s mission to the UN on X on Saturday.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2057918030944846108&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=67e6182b53c08c969d763e97ce417781c3f778d8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 656px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2057918030944846108"></iframe></div></div>He took note of the developments outlined in the report, including progress in investigative activities, cooperation with Libyan authorities, and engagement with international and regional partners. Ambassador Ahmad also noted the commencement of pre-trial proceedings following the surrender of El Hishri to the Court &mdash; the first surrender of a suspect to the ICC in the Libya situation. He underscored that accountability efforts should reinforce the broader objective of peace and reconciliation in Libya. Ambassador Ahmad stressed that consistency, objectivity, fairness, and non-selectivity are essential for maintaining the legitimacy and credibility of international accountability mechanisms.&nbsp;Credible, impartial accountabilityWhile stating that Pakistan is not a party to the Rome Statute, the ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to credible and impartial accountability for serious international crimes through the uniform application of international law. He further emphasized the importance of constructive cooperation between the ICC and Libyan authorities in implementing Security Council resolution 1970, while fully respecting Libya&rsquo;s judicial sovereignty, national institutions, and legitimate concerns. The ambassador underlined that national ownership and capacity-building should remain central to all accountability efforts. Pakistan also expressed support for all Libyan-led initiatives aimed at preserving judicial unity, strengthening constitutional oversight, upholding the rule of law, and advancing institution-building in the country. In conclusion, Ambassador Ahmad reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s support for all efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability, reconciliation, and durable institution-building in Libya.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad highlights importance of fairness and consistency in international accountability mechanisms at the United Nations.

At UNSC, Pakistan reaffirms support for Libya’s sovereignty, Libyan-led political process

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted an annual report to the UN General Assembly drafted and introduced by Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighting the Council&rsquo;s work on global crises and key thematic issues during 2025. According to a press release issued by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the annual report serves as a &ldquo;vital instrument of institutional dialogue&rdquo; between the Security Council and the General Assembly. Speaking during the adoption of the report, the Pakistani envoy said the annual reporting process, mandated under Article 24(3) of the UN Charter, plays an important role in strengthening transparency and accountability between the Security Council and the wider UN membership.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2058014671848841481&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=70d3c96316bdd926be723d5601691c5841168a08&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>He said Pakistan prepared the introductory section of the report in its capacity as President of the Security Council for July 2025, aiming to produce a substantive and analytical account reflecting the Council&rsquo;s deliberations, challenges and outcomes during the reporting period. The ambassador said the report provides a comprehensive overview of the Security Council&rsquo;s engagement during 2025, including its work on complex and interconnected crises across different regions, as well as emerging threats to international peace and security. He added that the report reflects the Council&rsquo;s responses in areas such as protection of civilians, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes, along with cooperation with regional and subregional organizations. Referring to the current geopolitical environment, Ambassador Asim said that despite persistent conflicts and heightened tensions, the Security Council continued to play a central role in promoting stability, supporting peace processes and reinforcing multilateral cooperation. He further said Pakistan adopted an open and inclusive approach in preparing the report by engaging with the broader UN membership in line with guidance from the Security Council and the General Assembly. The envoy noted that an informal meeting with member states was convened on Jan. 16, 2026, in coordination with the President of the General Assembly, and said views shared during the exchange helped improve the quality of the report. Ambassador Asim expressed hope that discussions on the report in the General Assembly would further strengthen relations between the Security Council and the wider UN membership in the spirit of transparency, accountability and multilateral cooperation.

Pakistani envoy says the annual reporting process, mandated under Article 24(3) of the UN Charter, plays an important role in strengthening transparency and accountability between the Security Council and the wider UN membership.

UN Security Council unanimously adopts Pakistan-drafted annual report

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, declaring that there is &quot;no military solution to the conflict in Sudan&quot; and asserting that meaningful dialogue remains the only viable path forward. Ambassador Jadoon warned that the crisis is currently deteriorating &quot;at an alarming pace,&quot; citing the expansion of hostilities into Kordofan following the humanitarian catastrophe in El Fasher.&nbsp; To address the instability, he emphasized the need for coherence among international political initiatives.<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: 648px; 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=2024717729471582468&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=0889d6deeb65e66808aa7a3fe8acf59016a1fb50&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2024717729471582468"></iframe></div></div>He stated that efforts from the African Union, the United Nations, and regional partners must be &quot;mutually reinforcing&quot; to help secure a humanitarian truce that can eventually evolve into a ceasefire. The ambassador expressed Pakistan&#39;s support for the peace plan presented by the transitional Sudanese government and welcomed recent communiqu&eacute;s from the African Union.&nbsp; However, he remained vocal regarding the escalating violence, strongly condemning atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur and Kordofan.&nbsp; Jadoon warned that deliberate attacks against civilians, peacekeepers, and humanitarian workers are unacceptable and &quot;may amount to war crimes&quot;.&nbsp; He noted that the civilian population is paying the heaviest price, facing sieges and the use of &quot;increasingly sophisticated weaponry&quot;. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s principled position, Jadoon reiterated unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan. He stressed that a unified Sudan is essential for the stability of the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Red Sea region. Regarding the humanitarian crisis, Jadoon called for &quot;sustained, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access,&quot; noting that coordination with the Sudanese government is &quot;indispensable&quot; for effective aid delivery.&nbsp; He urged an urgent scaling-up of international funding for the response. In closing, Jadoon insisted that the &quot;guns must fall silent&quot; to restore a credible political horizon for a stable Sudan.

Pakistan's ambassador expresses the country's support for the peace plan presented by the transitional Sudanese government and welcomed recent communiqués from the African Union. 

Pakistan urges political path to peace in Sudan at UNSC 

ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghan territory, could evolve into an extra-regional threat if it deepens cooperation with Al Qaeda-aligned groups, the United Nations Security Council&rsquo;s latest monitoring report has warned.&nbsp;In its 37th report, covering July to December 2025, the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team said some member states expressed concern that the TTP may expand its targeting ambitions beyond Pakistan, particularly if collaboration with transnational jihadist networks intensifies.&nbsp;The report states that Afghanistan&rsquo;s de facto authorities continue to provide a &ldquo;permissive environment&rdquo; for terrorist groups. While several violent factions remain active, the Monitoring Team noted that the TTP enjoys greater operational latitude and support compared with others &mdash; a dynamic linked to a marked surge in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/four-facilitators-of-islamabad-mosque-attacker-afghan-mastermind-arrested-security-sources" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">attacks against Pakistan</a>.&nbsp;&ldquo;De facto authorities continued to provide a permissive environment for a range of terrorist groups, notably Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,&rdquo; the report states, endorsing Islamabad&rsquo;s long-standing complaints that terrorists are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-uncovers-afghanistanbased-terror-network-as-attacks-mount" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">using Afghan territory as a safe haven</a>.&nbsp;Surge in cross-border violence and operational reachThe United Nations assessment underscores that TTP has grown into one of the largest terrorist groups operating out of Afghanistan, developing deep roots across several eastern and southeastern provinces.&nbsp;The group has been linked to many attacks, particularly in the latter half of 2025, contributing to heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier.&nbsp;The Monitoring Team also documented expanded capabilities, citing access to modern weapons, training infrastructure, and logistical backing that have boosted the group&rsquo;s lethality.&nbsp;These include advanced small arms, night-vision equipment and even drone systems &mdash; often facilitated through systems of movement passes and permits allegedly issued by Afghan authorities.&nbsp;Al Qaeda ties and wider threat concernsBeyond its cross-border campaign, the TTP&rsquo;s relationship with Al Qaeda remains a central concern. Member states cited in the report warned that the group&rsquo;s operational cooperation with Al Qaeda-aligned networks could broaden its target set and potentially make it an extra-regional threat beyond South Asia.&nbsp;The report further highlights that Al Qaeda continues to act as a &ldquo;service provider&rdquo; for other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, offering training and strategic support, particularly to the TTP, fueling fears of a widening nexus of extremist collaboration.&nbsp;Taliban denials and international frictionThe findings starkly contradict repeated Taliban assurances that no terrorist groups operate within Afghan borders, with the report noting that no UN member state endorsed this claim. The persistent sanctuary for the TTP and other terrorist groups is now recognized as a credible and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ttp-are-our-enenmy-we-will-eliminate-them-information-minister" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">documented threat</a>, complicating Kabul&rsquo;s diplomatic positioning and fueling mistrust with neighboring capitals.&nbsp;Implications for regional securityWhile the Monitoring Team stopped short of declaring that TTP has carried out attacks outside the region, the trendlines suggest a dangerous evolution. Member states expressed particular worry that deeper TTP-Al Qaeda links could enable the group to strike beyond Pakistan, potentially drawing in targets across Central and South Asia or further afield.&nbsp;The report&rsquo;s publication comes amid ongoing violence in Pakistan, including high-profile attacks on civil and security targets, reinforcing the urgent need for coordinated regional counter-terrorism action and renewed international engagement on Afghanistan&rsquo;s terrorist landscape.

Afghanistan

The 37th periodic report from the UNSC's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, covering July-December 2025, paints a stark picture of a terrorist landscape that increasingly threatens regional security.

TTP on Afghan soil poses 'extraregional threat,' says UN

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.

Articles tagged with "United Nations Security Council"

Security Council report highlights Kashmir, Palestine issues

At UNSC, Pakistan reaffirms support for Libya’s sovereignty, Libyan-led political process

UN Security Council unanimously adopts Pakistan-drafted annual report

Pakistan urges political path to peace in Sudan at UNSC

TTP on Afghan soil poses 'extraregional threat,' says UN

Iran says no escalation sought, attack to trigger lawful response