Pakistan Opposes Expansion of Veto Power, Calls for Democratic UN Security Council Reforms

UNITED NATIONS:Pakistan has opposed the expansion of veto power in the United Nations Security Council, calling for comprehensive, democratic and equitable reforms to make the body more representative.

Pakistan also reiterated its support for holding a debate in the UN General Assembly following the exercise of veto power by a permanent member of the Security Council.

Speaking at the United Nations, Pakistan’s Permanent Mission Counsellor Gul Qaiser Sarwani said expanding veto power would deepen inequality within the Security Council. He said Pakistan opposed both the addition of new permanent members and the extension of veto privileges.

Sarwani stated that Pakistan supported abolishing the veto power or imposing strict restrictions on its use, adding that the misuse of the veto undermined the credibility of the United Nations.

He called for increasing the number, representation and role of elected members in the Security Council to ensure a more balanced decision-making process.

The Pakistani diplomat further stressed that all five key areas of Security Council reform should be addressed simultaneously through a comprehensive package.

He emphasized that reforms should benefit all member states equally, with no special privileges for any country.

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