Pakistan keen to work with UNSC members to promote united action: FO

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan said on Friday that it looked forward to working closely with all members of the United Nations Security Council to promote timely and united action in line with the Security Council’s Charter, responsibilities and the expectations of the international community.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shafqat Ali Khan at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad said Pakistan has assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of July this year and it undertakes this responsibility with a deep sense of purpose, humility and conviction.

He said Pakistan’s approach will continue to remain anchored in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect for international law, and a steadfast commitment to multilateralism.

Shafqat Ali Khan said as a country that has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy, Pakistan brings to the Security Council an objective, principled and balanced perspective shaped by its foreign policy, past experience at the Council and its long-standing contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security including through UN peacekeeping and peace-building efforts.

The Spokesperson said Pakistan is mindful of the multiple, interlocking challenges to international peace and security across Middle East, South Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and other regions. He said the immense human cost of these crises demands a Security Council that is responsive, credible, and effective.

Shafqat Ali Khan said during its Presidency, Pakistan will promote substantive and action-oriented deliberations. Inclusive engagement will be ensured and constructive dialogue fostered across all agenda items.

He said Pakistan remains committed to serving as a bridge between the Security Council and the broader UN membership, guided by the belief that maintenance of international peace and security is a shared responsibility.

The Presidency will convene two high-level signature events during July: an open debate on “Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes”, to be held on 22 of this month.

He said the Presidency will also convene a briefing on “Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Sub-Regional Organizations: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation”, scheduled to be held on 24th of this month.

The Spokesperson said both the meetings will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who will also preside over quarterly open debate on the Question of Palestine on 23rd of this month.

Turning to the prevailing situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan, from time to time, has been inviting the international community’s attention towards the plight of the Kashmiri political prisoners, languishing in various jails in India and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Shafqat Ali Khan said these prisoners include a prominent Kashmiri leader, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, who has spent more than half of his seventy two years’ life in different jails.

The Spokesperson urged the Indian authorities to immediately release Shabbir Ahmed Shah in view of his medical condition.