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Pakistan wins temporary UN council seat
Pakistan wins seat by securing exact two-thirds majority along with Morocco and Guatemala.
Pakistan managed to get the exact 2/3rd majority that it needed to secure the seat. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
WASHINGTON: Winning the bare minimum required to win the hotly contested elections, Pakistan has won a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term.
Securing 129 out of 193 votes in the United Nations General Assembly – exactly the two-thirds majority required to win the seat, Pakistan will now be a non-permanent member, replacing Lebanon, of the United Nations Security Council in a term that begins on January 2012 and will end in December 2013.
(Read: Pakistan ‘favourite’ in faceoff over Security Council vote)
The seat is on the Asia-Pacific and Africa group, where Pakistan will join India amongst other countries as non-permanent members. Morocco was also elected as a member of the non-permanent seats in the UNSC. Pakistan’s sole competitor for the Asia-Pacific seat Kyrgyzstan managed to garner 55 votes.
According to reports, Pakistan had secured support from India, China and the UAE amongst other countries to help it win the election.
Pakistan’s earlier terms on the Council were in 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69 and 1952-53.
The Pakistan delegation, led by Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon, appeared to be conf ident of victory. “We have worked very, very hard over the past months,” Ambassador Haroon said.
According to a press release, Haroon said Pakistan’s election to the Security Council is the acknowledgement by the international community of its services and its capabilities to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security which is the main function of the Security Council.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar thanked the international community for reposing trust in Pakistan. “Pakistan will play its constructive role in the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security,” a press release quoted the minister as saying.
Mian Jahangir, the press officer for Pakistan’s mission to the UN, said that the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister had also congratulated Ambassador Haroon on Pakistan’s victory at the UN Security Council.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has congratulated the nation on this victory. Pakistan will assume its seat on the Security Council from January 1, 2012.
She also congratulated the Foreign Office and Pakistan’s Permanent Mission in New York for their hard work in projecting Pakistan’s constructive role in the world.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AGENCIES)
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2011.
Reader Comments (95)
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Whaat!? Pakistan gets elected into the UNSC? I gets 2/3 of the General assembly does love us somewhat after all. Time for Indians to tear their hair out and cry into their soft toys.Recommend
Yay! Hillary ‘s lucky for us. :p Pakistan won the UN Security Council election! 129 seats outta 193. Feeling so proud. Jeeay Bhutto!!!
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“Pakistan had secured support from India, China and the UAE amongst other countries to help Pakistan win the election.”
Hope the establishment across the border understand that india fullfill its promise… I assume that this will be widely convered in Urdu media..or will they black out this pariticular piece of information….
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Congratulations — a win is a win and who cares whether the vote was close.
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@Mohd
we already have, pakistan lent its support to india too for unsc
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JEAY BHUTTO
whoever said Zardari does nothing?
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@SweetJustice: My dear, you have got exactly 2/3 majority and hadn’t India voted in favour of Pakistan, this vistory would have been a distant dream for you people. You should thank India for this favour.
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@ SweetJustice – are you blind or did you not notice India actually voted for Pakistan. Seems like India doesn’t hate us as much as jingoist types like you would like.
@ Mohd – our violence crazed brothers like SweetJustice and the Urdu media will probably ignore it. Just like they ignore the fact India gave Pakistan MFN many years ago and we haven’t kept our own promise to India.
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@SweetJustic @Rubab
There were only two participants vying for a seat in Asia-Pacific category, Pakistan and Kyrgystan.
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What do you mean ‘barely wins’? You either win or you don’t.
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lol pakistan got more than 2/3 of the vote….normally it takes 5 or 6 rounds to get a majority
typical indian jealousy and obsession with pakistan mindset in this article . when the Worlds only super power accuses you of attacking its embassy, and you still get a UNSC
that says it all
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@SweetJustice: I guess you did not read that India supported Pakistan’s election. Easy with the anti-India sentiments!
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@SweetJustice:
India did not vote for pakistan it said it would not last week, even though pakistan voted for India.
haha indian foreign policy to isolate pakistan failed again . Urdu media is free to publish what it wants its not under the control of foreign embassy funding like the english media. India never fullfils promises always back tracks on agreements from Benazir Bhutto to Musheraff. From Siachin to Kashmir . Did Indian media report that pakistan backed india UNSC bid last year ??? why the selective amnesia my hindustani friend ?
Indian media is crying about this and starting smear campaign ,even though this has no effect on indian media hate to see successful pakistan
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Jiye Bhutto!
May Zardari make this nation ever so more prosperous.
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oh lala : thats why i said we fullfilled the promise,coz thats the deal we had 2 years before, you help us, we help you, and we did it.. what i want to see is this piece of news comes up in all form of new media in all language in pakistan..why i am not sure, will they even mention india vote in favour of pakistan..
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That was very big of India. It’s unfortunate that the Pakistani media isn’t giving this matter enough coverage.
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@SweetJustice:
Read it again carefully…it says Pakistan garnered support from China, UAE AND India to help win the election.
Speaking of tearing hair out and crying into soft toys…does that shatter your anti-India world?
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@MastMaula:
If India voted for Paks, they just returned the favor cause they also got Pakistani vote when they were in similar position last year…So, like anything else in life same thing applied here: you scratch my back I will scratch yours.
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@SweetJustice:
This is your comment despite India supporting Pakistan for securing the seat….This Indicates two things, either you have no sense of gratitude or you don’t understand english.
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@MastMaula:
The favor has been reciprocated…..do remember this as well and going by your contention,India should also thank Pakistan for her VISTORY
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@MasiMaula..BIGG deal..Nothing Big dat india did..Pakistan supported india as well..India got elected to the UN Security council i congrulate u on dat..But now lets see if india agree’s to implement the same security council’s decisions on Kashmir..which i seriously doubt..lol..
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@ Mastmaula
Pakistan was the first one to extend the favor of voting for India to win a seat at UNSC, India is just returning the favor, just so that we are clear that we are dealing on equal terms.
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“According to reports, Pakistan had secured support from India, China and the UAE amongst other countries to help Pakistan win the election. ” It seems we barely managed to meet the cut off limit by 1 vote after millions of dollars pumped into lobbying. We should sincerely thank India whose vote was crucial. I remember, that India won 187 out of 192 seats in a overwhelming absolute majority, and they didnt need that extra one vote from us, but we needed them. Hope we are mature enough to show gratitude.
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@MastMaula:
Thank India for what? Reciprocating the vote we had openly given them before?
…Blind leading the blind *sigh
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@MastMaula
Yea well it was a secret ballot who knows what India actually voted.
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Well, its good to see India supporting pakistani claim and I hope we get a similar response.
And for those who Indians are crying over it ……my friends we just dont consider you important enough to be worried with your progress. And to wake you from your irrationale dream, India won its clain by getting 98% votes. I guess you understand now that we didn’t support you as a favour back. We dont need you but you do.
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129/193 and barely wins ??? Pathetic topic for this news ! heh
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@MastMaula:
It is commendable that India voted for us.. but India was only returning the favor as Pakistan had voted for India when she was biding for a UNSC seat.
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India didn’t voted for us they voted for Kyrgyzstan as per times of India. Secondly, had Pakistan not secured 2/3 seats than there would had been a second round which would had made Pakistan win anyway since our opponents Kyrgyzstan just got 55 votes.
@ MastMaula
Go n cry we never needed your favor.
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@Mohd Rifaye: Pakistan also supported Indain to get UNSC seat so they just returned the favour. I think that information also be reconizeable.
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@MastMaula: Correct your information as Pakistan already did vavour to India to win UNSC SEAT. I think its that indian does not want to know.
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@MastMaula:
There is no thank for this. It is a win-win situation. Both India and Pakistan support each other for UNSC seat.
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If Pakistan is elected with India’s vote and India was elected with Pakistani vote, it is a great sign of things to come. It is the victory of South Asia in general and democracy in particular. It is a win win situation for the whole region. Let us hope that we can build upon this and leave the bitter past baggage behind. Let the real friendship begin.
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Pakistan has more diplomacy than Krygistan …. Who again ??? That’s whom Pakistan beat.
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two third majority is no mean feat.
.
ET should learn to make headlines that sometimes goes in Pakistan’s favour!
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Insha’Allah…Recommend
so what happens with Pakistan winning this seat? I mean what are the benefits? I really dont know. would someone mind informing me?
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@SweetJustice:
There you go.. Smart boy India is not Pakistan. Opposing just to oppose.. Do you even know India voted in favour of Pakistan… Thats what sensible people do.. Think and then vote…
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Togo won the same by 131 votes:)
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Congratulations! we have gained “security!”
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Kudos to the foreign office !
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@MastMaula
We thank India for nothing. Pakistan Zindaabaad!!Recommend
A win for President Asif Zardari. Thank You.
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So what is Pakistan going to achieve with this position???
Firstly, as a third world world nation with multitude problems internally and externally, i don’t see them making any major contribution to the global world, except perhaps endorsing their stand in regards to their support for their assets!!!
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@OhLaLa, Even without Pakistani support India (assuming Pakistan had supported India) would have made it to UNSC but without Indian support Pakistan would not have made it to UNSC, that’s a big difference!!
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@Salman:
The TOI quotes “India, which is already serving as a non-permanent member for the 2011-2012 term, is believed to have voted for Pakistan, the two sides having made common cause on many issues at the UN except for Kashmir.”Recommend
@Pakistani Commentars
Y’all stop being such ahsan faramosh towards Indians, its hurting their feelings. For once in the ET comment section, they have no reason or bad news to mock and laugh Pakistan. Yes we still have terrorism, development issues, corruption problems, but we are not exactly an isolated island like the Indians like to delude themselves to think. I am saying it once again – Indians go cry into your soft toys.
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India won security council seat by 189/193 seats… land slide win… We really didnt depend on pak vote :)….. But I wonder why India went against US and Other western nations on this Vote?Recommend
Am I really looking at the comments in which some people are praising zardari for all this…form where these people are commenting..I am sure not from with in Pakistan..Zardari has a lot of other “THINGS” to do before his government ends soon..he does not bother any thing good for Pakistan…It is permanent mission of pakistan which serves Pakistan nation..and this permanent ambassador is in UN for the last 5 years..I dont know these people really exist in this country who praise zardari..
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@Freeman:
with all due respect, when india got elected to unsc, it won 187 out of the 190 votes, so pakistan’s vote wouldn’t have made a difference in india winning. on the other hand, india’s vote for pakistan was a make or break vote for pakistan, as pakistan got the bare minimum. regardless, it’s a welcome move, and we want pakistan to embrace peace and prosperity and get away from forces of destruction. good luck, pakistan
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This had nothing to do with Zardari. He has done nothing good for the country. It had only to do with Mr. Haroon making an effort for Pakistan. Congrats!
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What did Pakistan do the last six times?
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Diplomatic victory for Pakistan!!
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@Nadeem:
“lol pakistan got more than 2/3 of the vote….normally it takes 5 or 6 rounds to get a majority
typical indian jealousy and obsession with pakistan mindset in this article”
No. Pakistan did not get MORE than 2/3 vote. It got exactly 2/3 vote.
India actually is already a non-permanent member of UNSC at this time, so no reason for India to be jealous.
India supported Pakistan (just as Pakistan had supported India earlier).
People like SweetJustice are offtarget when they say India would be tearing its hair out. India did vote for Pakistan and if India had not voted for Pakistan, it would have been one vote short of being elected since it had the exact number of votes required.
This victory is reason for Pakistanis to be happy. Not a good reason to thumb their noses at India.
.
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@Ali:
“India did not vote for pakistan it said it would not last week, even though pakistan voted for India.
haha indian foreign policy to isolate pakistan failed again .”
Please read again. It says Pakistan got support from China, India and UAE.
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@Pakistani:
“129/193 and barely wins ??? Pathetic topic for this news ! heh”
A minimum 129 out of 193 were required for victory. So it is accurate to describe it as barely wins. Having said that Pakistanis can justifiably cheer.
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@Imitation:
India had 187/192 votes. India never asked for Pakistani vote, in fact Pakistan just wanted to be in the winners camp and so they voted India.
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@Mirza:
get your facts, India was not selected on Pakistani votes India already had 97% of the votes, one Pakistani votes wouldn’t have made any difference. In fact, Pakistan voted for India as it knew that one day India will have Pakistan’s fate in its control (exactly as what happened).Recommend
@Pakistani.. which part of the article you didn’t understand mr? Is it English or Maths you poor at? A country would require 2/3rd of total votes to gain membership of the UNSC. There are total 193 members, so a country should get 193*(2/3)=128.66~129 votes. And Pakistan got exactly 129 votes. That’s why the title says “Bare Minimum”. If India hadn’t voted in favor, Pak had only 128 votes and they would’ve lost the seat..
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India voted for Pakistan. This is a good gesture and should be reciprocated with thanks.
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@farry:
“The favor has been reciprocated…..do remember this as well and going by your contention,India should also thank Pakistan for her VISTORY”
There is a difference. India’s vote for Pakistan meant a lot more than Pakistan’s vote for India for the simple reason that Pakistan won by a very narrow margin while India won with an overwhelming majority.
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my godddddddddddddd,some people are just plain silly,cant you guys read that india supported pakistan?is it too hard for you to digest that sometimes enemies can be friends in weird ways.
and plzzz dont get too full of urselves,indians got 187 votes out of 192(i must say pak voted for india aswell). so u guys might want to relax on everybody likes us rhetoric.
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@SweetJustice: Why should we tear our hair out when we supported you?
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I dont think we should go gaga over winning a temporary seat in the security council does anyone care for these temporary members its only the permanent members that matter . The only good thing that i see is that both India and Pakistan supported each other hope we start supporting each other in things that matter.
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Wonder how will Pakistan vote when (not IF) “International Community” brings a resolution to UNSC imposing “No Fly Zone” over Iran, “Our Brotherly Islamic Neighbor?”
Now let’s rejoice our promotion as a (Temporary) member of UNSC.
What a historic aceivement!!
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@SweetJustice:
It said Pakistan gained support from India, i.e. India wanted Pakistan in the Security Council.
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@abdullah:
Pakistan now has an active role in drafting and voting on UNSC resolutions. Why is that important? Because outside the ICJ, the UNSC is the only other body in the UN whose resolutions are binding and can be applied using force e.g. Libya. The UNSC is also the only UN body that can apply economic sanctions in the UN. Furthermore any UN statehood bid must have unanimous UNSC approval to go through. While Pakistan will not have the same influence as the P-5, it will have a say in the drafting and voting on important resolutions.
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Facts:
1. Pak won the seat with 129 votes of 192 i.e. 2/3rd votes. If it got one vote less, it would’ve lost the election.
2. India got the seat with 187 votes of 192. Because there was no other competitor at that time.
3. Winning a seat on the UNSC gives any country some confidence to respond and act on international issues. And Pak having that confidence at this time, is good for both the countries.
4. On the other hand, Pak should use the power-to-vote very carefully on the international issues. Because any decision it takes at the UNSC reflects very heavily in it’s home. For ex, if tomorrow there is a resolution to sanction Syria, and if Pak is forced to accept the resolution, the extremists at home might get difficult to please.
5. UNSC is the guardian of world peace(at least it is supposed to be), seating in that council and spewing venom on India or any other country for that matter is an insult to the council and as well as to Pak’s capability of behaving like a matured country in the international scene.
6. When India won the temporary seat, everyone/citizens were talking about “when do we get permanent seat” and not about Pak or any other country. When Pak won the same seat a year later, Pak citizens are talking about “India have to learn a lesson” kind of thing. Judge it for yourself.
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Yeah very good news after a long time, proud to be Pakistani, cheers…
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We fought against Kyrgyzstan, its like India going against Nepal or Saudi Arabia against Yemen; and we barely scraped through. The story would’ve been completely different if it was an ASEAN or AL country, so thankyou China and IndiaRecommend
The reason why India supported Pakistan is because Pakistan supported India for the UNSC seat last year.
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@ To all Pakistanis
“It is a great day for the Indian subcontinent. I thank the Indian Ambassador and India. I have absolute confidence that India voted for us,” Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Link :-
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/pakistan-gets-seat-on-united-nations-security-council-as-non-permanent-member-143310?pfrom=home-otherstories
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@SweetJustice
Read the report again.it says
According to reports, Pakistan had secured support from India, China and the UAE amongst other countries to help it win the election.
Dyslexia or selective visual loss?
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@Nadeem: “Indian jealousy” ??
Jealous of what? Can you please tell? I keep reading this in Pakistani forums. Is there anything in Pakistan that India may feel “jealous” about?Recommend
@Cosmo: I never meant in the way you are taking it. Even if a country wins with 99% votes, that does not minimize each and every vote she got. Let us be open minded and try to enjoy the moment of friendship. I guess it may be asking too much?
Thanks and regards,
Mirza
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@fahim:
it was a secret vote.pak got 129.who knows who gave 129th vote.why specialy thank india?
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@SweetJustice:
The vote from India helped Pakistan to win. Stop naggingRecommend
On a very serious note, just getting exactly the two-thirds majority is not a good sign.
Kyrgyzstan has population of five million people has embassy’s in not more than 25 countries.
Pakistan has population of over 180 million.
Foreign office of Pakistan should do some very serious thinking…..
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congrats
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pakistan’s inclusion in the security council is to ensure that pak don’t end up in double game with the international community…it is actually a big responsibility rather than a privilege
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@SweetJustice:
India Voted for Pakistan Boy!!! I think the two countries could work together instead of ripping off each other!!
We can compete and co-operate at the same time
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Congratulations to All Pakistanis, its a sign from almighty Allah for the nation of Pakistan, live happily and let Afghans to live happily. don’t miss this chance.
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@SweetJustice:
India too voted for pakistan, a mater of keeping promise. but i dont blame you.Recommend
for those who dont know—- india got into unsc with 189 votes…
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Good to heard this news,thnx to china ,india n other communities,congrats to all pakistanis,we will try to prove v deserved it,InshAllah.
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Nice to hear the news,pakistan’s role is very important for the planet,thnx to all the communities whn voted for pakistan,v vill try to prove that v deserved it.
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It seems US/NATO has no intention take action against Pakistan anytime soon. I can take break from visiting Pakistani newspapers.
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@Nadeem:
typical Indian jealosy!!…Indian vote was make or break situation for Pakistan since one vote less would not have secured 2/3rd majority where as India got 187 votes out of 190 states who voted last year..That said, i am definitely happy that India reciprocated Pak’s gesture last year..it’s not about numbers, its about the message you send by gestures…only that can build trust..stop your hate mongering..god’s sake…Recommend
pls notice…
According to reports, Pakistan had secured support from INDIA, China and the UAE amongst other countries to help it win the election….
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congratulations pakistan… its thanksgiving and party time
but the fun is getting spoilled by some vonom vomitter… do we need to walk away from it.. thats the question
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@indian:
India won with huge margin only because of the support of USA & Pakistan’s victory is despite the opposition of UAS and some puppet governments like India. That is the difference…!
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No need to get so excited so fast – learn the truth first . . . .it has been reported that India did not vote for Pakistan . . .it voted for Kyrgystan instead that got 55 votes.
Back to square one – India did not vote for Pakistan and Pakistan won on its own merits from other countries. Congragulations Pakistan . .you earned it!! Thanks to all those countries that voted for Pakistan! Party all you want!
All those Indians can now stop demanding any ‘Thankyou’s’ from Pakistan.
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@Mirza:
Well, point taken. Mutually helping each other forward is the way to go.
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Vote is a vote, doesn’t matter if India have a landslide win. We should appreciate Pakistan supporting India’s cause. I hope we as neighbors establish trust, friendship and diplomacy. Until both our countries have responsible media nothing’s going to change… at least news like this will force media to report a positive message…
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@SweetJustice: hey- read the article. india supported pakistans bid for the seat as acknowledged by ur own ambassador. so india won’t be crying anytime soon-they wanted it
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