Pakistan opposes new permanent UN Security Council seats at veto debate
Pakistan’s UN representative called for abolishing or sharply restricting the Security Council veto while opposing new permanent seats.
Pakistan opposed adding permanent members to the UN Security Council at a General Assembly debate on veto use in New York, Dawn reported on October 27. Gul Qaiser Sarwani, a counsellor at Pakistan’s UN mission, said the country favoured abolishing the veto or severely restricting it, placing Pakistan against proposals to give more countries permanent council power.
According to Dawn, Sarwani argued that new permanent seats and wider veto privileges would deepen existing inequalities, preserve historical advantages and increase the risk of council paralysis. He said rivalries and narrow interests among the current permanent members had repeatedly impeded collective action on international peace and security.
Pakistan’s proposal for elected Security Council members
Sarwani called for stronger representation and a greater role for the council’s elected members alongside restrictions on veto use, Dawn reported. He opposed extending veto privileges to additional members and said any measures to restrain the veto must remain consistent with the UN Charter. Pakistan wants the veto question addressed with the other four clusters in the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, as part of a broader package.
An APP-credited report published by Geo News placed Pakistan’s stance within the Pakistan and Italy-led Uniting for Consensus group, which opposes new individual permanent members. That position concerns the structure of a possible expanded council, while Sarwani’s call for tighter veto rules concerns the powers held by its members.
How the General Assembly reviews a Security Council veto
Pakistan reaffirmed its support for General Assembly resolution 76/262, which provides for an assembly debate after a Security Council veto, Dawn reported. Geo News’ APP-credited report said the resolution requires a session within 10 working days of a veto. Sarwani argued that the assembly’s universal membership gives it a role when a veto prevents the council from acting.
General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman described that debate mechanism as an expression of transparency and accountability, according to the APP report. He said council inaction carries costs for people affected by conflict and insecurity. Sarwani likewise linked the veto debate to accountability, calling for reform that would give elected council members a more effective part in decisions.
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Sources and context
- At UNGA debate, Pakistan warns against adding more permanent members to Security Council, extending veto privilegesDawn (report attributed to News Desk)
- 'Institutional paralysis': Pakistan urges abolition or curbs on UNSC veto powerGeo News (report credited to APP)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.