Pakistan calls for abolition of veto power, opposes permanent membership expansion
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad speaking at the UN. PHOTO: X
Pakistan on Wednesday called for the abolition or severe restriction of the veto power in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), while strongly opposing any expansion of permanent membership, including the creation of new veto-wielding states.
Speaking during a resumed session of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the current structure often leads to paralysis in global decision-making.
Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad,
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN,
During the 3rd IGN Meeting on the Cluster of “Question of Veto”
(14 April 2026)
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Co-Chairs,
Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished Permanent… pic.twitter.com/eQ9VJQ8I05He said Pakistan “firmly believed that the paralysis that we see often at the Security Council, leading to inaction on crucial matters related to international peace and security, stems from the misuse or abuse of the veto power by the permanent members.”
Ambassador Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that “any expansion of the veto or addition of new individual permanent members is firmly opposed, as more vetoes would only aggravate the problem.”
He described the veto system as “anachronistic today” and said Pakistan’s stance remains clear and consistent that it should either be abolished or its use “severely restricted.”
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The ambassador also argued that expanding the number of elected, non-permanent members could help rebalance the Security Council. “Increased number of elected members will tilt the balance away from the permanent members,” the envoy said.
He added that when a veto blocked action supported by a broad majority, it becomes “more isolated and harder to justify, increasing accountability and reputational costs.”
The Pakistani envoy further supported greater transparency in veto use and strengthening mechanisms that allow the UN General Assembly to review and debate such decisions.
The envoy also stressed that Security Council reform must be comprehensive, covering all key issues together, including membership categories, regional representation, and working methods. He cautioned against treating veto reform in isolation, reiterating: “If we want Reform for All, there should be Privilege for None.”
Full-scale negotiations to reform the Security Council began in the General Assembly in February 2009 on five key areas — the categories of membership, the question of veto, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Security Council, and working methods of the council and its relationship with the General Assembly.
Progress towards restructuring the Security Council remains blocked as G-4 countries — India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan — continue to push for permanent seats in the council, while the Italy/Pakistan-led Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group opposes any additional permanent members. arguing it would create “new centres of privilege”.
As a compromise, UfC has proposed a new category of members — not permanent members — with a longer duration in terms and a possibility to get re-elected.
The Security Council is currently composed of five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States — and 10 non-permanent members elected to two-year terms.
The IGN framework is geared towards restructuring the council to make it more representative, effective, and accountable.