Pakistan calls for curbs on UNSC veto power

UNITED NATIONS:

Pakistan on Tuesday called for comprehensive, democratic and equitable reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), warning that the misuse of veto power undermines the council's effectiveness, weakens the credibility of the United Nations and perpetuates inequalities within the international system.

Speaking during a UN General Assembly debate on the use of the veto, Gul Qaiser Sarwani, Counsellor and Political Coordinator at Pakistan's Mission to the UN, said strategic rivalries and narrow interests among the council's permanent members had repeatedly obstructed collective action on international peace and security. He highlighted the unique legitimacy of the General Assembly, saying its universal membership and democratic decision-making enabled it to respond when the Security Council was unable to act, including because of the exercise of veto power.

Sarwani warned that adding more permanent members and extending veto privileges would deepen existing inequalities, perpetuate historical advantages and increase the risk of paralysis within the council.

Reaffirming Pakistan's position alongside the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group, he opposed the creation of any new permanent seats in an expanded Security Council.

Referring to proposals to regulate veto power, Sarwani said Pakistan favoured its abolition or, at a minimum, severe restrictions on its use, stressing that veto power must not be expanded.

The Pakistani delegate also reaffirmed the country's support for UN General Assembly Resolution 76/262, which provides for a General Assembly debate following the exercise of a veto to promote greater accountability.

Sarwani maintained that any measures to restrict veto power must remain consistent with the UN Charter.

He called for a balanced approach combining restrictions on veto use with enhanced representation and a stronger role for elected members of the Security Council.

According to the statement, such measures would make the council's decision-making more democratic and provide an effective check on the exercise of veto power.

Sarwani said the veto issue must be addressed alongside the other four interrelated clusters under the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform.