Formulating responses: Khar to preside over counterterrorism debate at UNSC

The discussion has been proposed by Pakistan in capacity as head of UN Security Council.

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar arrives in New York to preside over a ministerial debate on comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism on Tuesday.

According to a statement, the debate has been proposed by Pakistan which holds the rotational presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of January.

The open debate will provide an opportunity to have a holistic view of the continuing threats and challenges posed by international terrorism and the best ways of formulating and implementing coherent and comprehensive responses to this menace.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will brief the Council ahead of the debate. The 15-nation council is the United Nations’ most powerful body, which deals with issues of international peace and security.

Apart from presiding over the debate, the foreign minister has a busy schedule during her brief stay in New York. Khar will confer with the UN chief and hold bilateral meetings with the high-level delegates participating in the debate.

Apart from a number of media engagements, the foreign ministers will also address members of the two prestigious think-tanks, The Asia Society on Tuesday and Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2013.