Pakistan opposes expansion of UN veto power

Pakistan has opposed expanding veto power in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for comprehensive, democratic and

Pakistan has opposed expanding veto power in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for comprehensive, democratic and equitable reforms to make the global body more representative and accountable.

Counsellor Gul Qaiser Sarwani of Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said Pakistan opposed the inclusion of new permanent members and any expansion of the veto privilege. He warned that extending veto power would deepen existing inequalities within the Security Council rather than address the shortcomings of its current structure.

Sarwani said Pakistan supported abolishing the veto power or imposing strict restrictions on its use. He stressed that the misuse of the veto undermined the credibility of the United Nations and weakened confidence in the international organisation.

He also reiterated Pakistan’s support for holding a debate in the UN General Assembly following the exercise of the veto in the Security Council. The proposal aims to strengthen accountability and ensure that the wider UN membership can discuss decisions blocked by the council’s permanent members.

The Pakistani diplomat emphasised the need to increase the number of elected members of the Security Council and enhance their representation and role in decision-making. He called for reforms that would give a broader range of countries a meaningful voice in matters concerning international peace and security.

Sarwani further stressed that all five key areas of Security Council reform should be addressed simultaneously through a comprehensive package. He maintained that reforms should benefit all member states rather than grant special privileges to a select group of countries.

Pakistan’s position reflects its opposition to creating additional permanent seats with veto privileges and its preference for a more inclusive system of representation. Islamabad maintains that meaningful reform should promote equality among member states, improve the council’s effectiveness and prevent the concentration of decision-making power in the hands of a few countries.

The debate over Security Council reform has remained a longstanding issue at the United Nations, with member states divided over the expansion of permanent and non-permanent membership, the distribution of veto powers and the need to make the council more representative of the contemporary international order.