Pakistan

'Pakistan is not seeking a permanent UNSC seat'

Qureshi says the idea of permanent membership is contrary to the spirit of democracy and accountability.

Express December 20, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday said Pakistan is not seeking a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In a written reply during a question-hour session at the National Assembly, the foreign minister said that the idea of permanent membership is contrary to the spirit of democracy and accountability.

He maintained that the restructuring of the Security Council should be carried out after developing a consensus among all the nine member countries.

In a reference to India, Qureshi said some aspirants for the UNSC seat are creating divisions among the international community.

India has recently ramped up its diplomatic efforts to get a permanent UNSC seat during restructuring of the world body.

COMMENTS (49)

sashayub | 13 years ago | Reply does Pakistan even deserve to ask? let alone get???

J.Oberoi | 13 years ago | Reply @Golden Horde, by your own arguments, an UNSC seat to India will mean representation to the 1 billion Hindus of the world - not to mention 160 million Muslims, 30 million Sikhs and many millions of Buddhists, Jains, Parsis etc. Did you say Pakistan was a 'democracy'?

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

John | 13 years ago | Reply @Khalid, To all the indian and pakistani brothers, Brother khalid had once again proved that apart from the number of muslims he couldn't find any other mistake in my comment. Brother khalid, a good nation doesn't need population, but it needs good attitude which i am sure india has and pakistan doesn't.

J.Oberoi | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria personally, I am 'transfixed' at the thought of Pakistan as a permanent member of the UNSC. What an intriguing concept!

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Maria; As long as u are transfixed on the idea that Indian agents are behind everything that goes bad in Pakistan (incl Baluchistan), you are unlikely to fix the problems that confront Pakistan because India is not the reason at all.

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply The nasty comments of Indians on this site shows how they remain transfixed against Pakistan. We all know how their agents are respnsible for most of the turmoil that goes on in Pakistan but now Pakistanis must band together to thwart the bad designs of these people.

khalid | 13 years ago | Reply @John Sir Pakistan has more muslim population then India.Its total wrong perception that India has more muslim population as compared to India.Its only after 1971 that india has more muslim population.The equation has changed since last 2 decades,Plz correct urself. Indonesia:220 million Pakistan:180 million India:160 million Bdesh:150 million

Golden Horde | 13 years ago | Reply first up, the UNSC will not be expanded. Ever. What benefit is there for the current veto members to dulute their authority??? So India can dream about veto but will never get it. Pakistan's stance is more realistic is is based upon the representation of all people and countries. In this respect, there needs to be a representation of the 56 islamic countries in the UN. Pakistan is a leading contender to represent the islamic countries as a nuclear power, democracy and the 6th biggest country on the planet! Pakistan's claim is very strong for a UNSC seat but pakistan will not be pleading for it. But might end up getting it anyways. India's inclusion will only add one country and it will only represent one country. The only case indian can make is that it is the 2nd largest country in the world and so should be allowed in. But apart from that, there is no other reason to let india represent anyone in UNSC. Who would it represent and arnt already represented????

Nirmal | 13 years ago | Reply To all my pakistani brothers, Read any online newspaper about india and you will find many indian muslim brothers and christian brothers, sikh brothers supporting whole heartedly for india. Now i am challenging all the pakistanis on the planet. Show me one pakistani hindu or pakistani christian or sikh supporting whole heartedly for pakistan. There you go.. This is the real difference between pakistan and india. This is where we stand as nation. We indian are always better than you.

realMuslim | 13 years ago | Reply Here is the difference mr. FM, all of the permanent UNSC members came to India and made statements supporting India for UNSC, china wasnt out whole heatedly but it also did not object to India's membership to UNSC. In diplomacy small gestures means a lot, chinese priemier decided to visit India first and then the "all weather" friend pakistan. No one has offered any such statement regarding UNSC seat for pakistan. Its the economy stupid! http://www.dawn.com/2010/12/21/india-russia-sign-deals-on-fighter-jets-nuclear-energy.html Medvedev voiced Moscow’s support for India “as a deserving and strong candidate” for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council. His trip capped a flurry of top-level diplomatic activity that has seen the leaders of all five permanent members of the UN Security Council beat a trade-focused path to India’s door over the past six months. British Prime Minister David Cameron was here in July, and US President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao have passed through over the last six weeks.

John | 13 years ago | Reply @Romm, Well as far as india is concerned, its all about having a say in the international affairs. Because with a population of 1.2 billion and having worlds second largest muslim population, and having vibrant secular and democratic institutions, we strongly believe we deserve this position. I mean to call the shots in international affairs. That would be first thing every indian would consider. Well let pakistani brothers say what are the harmful effects.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Romm; We are not bothered about UNSC seat as much as you are about Indian UNSC seat. We are only concerned about terrorism against us emanating from Pakistan. You close the tap verifiably and permanently and see how India cooperates/helps Pakistan.

Romm | 13 years ago | Reply Indian and Pakistani Buddies! Lets talk sense instead of Arguments and counter Arguments! Lets analyse, what wud be benefits of UNSC permanent seat for India and Harm to Pakistan. No more Accusation pls. First Indians pls.......

ashoksai | 13 years ago | Reply Its like Salman Butt saying, I dont want 'Wisden Cricketer of the year Award'. Sounds similar !!!

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Romm; I guess we are relaxing and you are enjoying in Pakistan.

Romm | 13 years ago | Reply Ask Russians and American?

Jay+S | 13 years ago | Reply The UN in general and UNSC in particular, is an impotent body that has no meaningful clout. It could not stop the Iran invasion and it can't stop the current war on terror. Membership into anything related to UN is just a bragging right with little or no significance. Why not give a permanent UNSC seat to all the countries in the world?

Dr.ABHISHEK | 13 years ago | Reply @YASAR: "Japan deserves permanent seat more then India"... Shhhh... if China Heard you, you will be in Big Trouble... You are Being prepared to be Used for such Purposes only.. Don't Put your Existence in Danger... And I am the only Indian(perhaps only Human) to Support Pakistan for UNSC seat.. For the 63 years of Stable Governments, a solid Constitution and her efforts for Preparing and Sending the "PEACE AGENTS" in INDIA and all across the Globe.. For creating an Environment of peace and Growth in the World..

Tony+Singh | 13 years ago | Reply @ Romm From you?

ashok | 13 years ago | Reply congratulations Mr. qureshi you just won the first prize in 'joke of the year' competition. it is so creative of you to come with a marvellous idea of thinking about UNSC perm. seat when country still faces huge rehabilitation task for more a million people. Mr.qureshi-"thank you.you are so kind. but politician in this great countrry of ours born with this kind of gift.you will see next year too some pakistani politician will get this prize if not me.Thank you again."

Imtiaz | 13 years ago | Reply Is he delusional, who is going to vote for Pakistan? most insecure country looking for a security council seat. But then what is wrong with it, you want things you don't have....

Romm | 13 years ago | Reply Did permanent Seat in UNSC save USSR From us? Relax and Enjoy!

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Yasar, It is not about Indias UNSC seat people are commenting about. It is about Your FM's hilarious statement people are commenting about,. Nobody is comparing Japan's and india's.

Golden Horde | 13 years ago | Reply The FM is correct. There should be no expansion of the permanent members of the UNSC. The fact remains that veto powers are anti-democratic. And good on the FM to raise this point and hammer it into the ears of the indians so they can let some puff out of their falsely inflated chests.

Raqib+Ali | 13 years ago | Reply There shouldn't be any permanent seat for any country. If yes, then Brazil, Japan, Turkey, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia should all get it.

realMuslim | 13 years ago | Reply Qureshi sahib. The way we are going as a nation ...we should be thankful if v r part of UN let alone UNSC!! While u r at it why dont u announce that Pakistan is not interested in manned mission to Sun!

Yasar | 13 years ago | Reply Lol @ Indians coming to comment on Pakistani newspaper. Thank us ofr letting us to expressyour opinon. Japan deserves permanent seat more then India.

kamal | 13 years ago | Reply Qureshi sahaab,pls accept it.Without having Pakistan on big table,how world will survive??Pls sir accept it..pls pls plssss

happyman | 13 years ago | Reply I guess Mr. minister thinks the whole world is his zardari. He commands and it will be done. It is his humility that he is not asking one. LOL. The fact that you think that pakistan can even be considered for one even remotely (I wonder under what category; oh wait for being lone nuclear power as a muslim state, soon to loose that distinction with Iran getting its own nuclear arsenal, or the most supplier of everything thats needed for terrorism)

gary | 13 years ago | Reply LOL as if it someone was going to give it a seat even if it demanded.... :P

rk | 13 years ago | Reply HA HA HA what a loser. sour grapes mr loser qureshi. Who the hell even considered a terrorist country for UN seat?? What is this quresh guy talking about??? His foreign policy is most harmful for his own pitiful nation. He should worry about his country even exixting on the face of planet in the next few years. UN seat for pakis !!! ha ha

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply I am glad. It'll be really amusing to see a country, rated for the past 2 years in "Top 10 failed Countries", to compete for a UNSC seat.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply The fact that Pakistan is held in disdain by the rest of the World and could not muster any votes had nothing to do with it?

Thomas | 13 years ago | Reply What can I say, Pakistan should be given permanent seat and a veto too!. I can't understand what made the Foreign Minister make such a comment.!!!!!!

sundar | 13 years ago | Reply Oh no Mr. Qureshi don't break our hearts. Please accept your place in high table pleaseeeeeee.

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply When their was a rumour in the air a few years back about it, Pakistan sent a high-powered delegation to Washington to say: if you are considering a permanent seat for India, you CANNOT do unless you BALANCE it with a permanent seat for us, too. It was a great "disappointment" to know that you don't desire what was not even offered to you! Tch, tch, tch!!! Pakistan should get rid of this "Me too" notion. We are in totally different leagues, Mr. Quereshi!

satyram | 13 years ago | Reply Forbidden fruit is tasty :)

Ahmadi | 13 years ago | Reply

Pakistan is not seeking a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

yeah right, like it could get one! :P

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Minister, Grapes are sour!!!! We haven't even finished begging yet and you are dreaming of a Castle in the clouds, To even think about it you need 20 yrs of good governance and progress in all fields. India has done it's home work but needs to do more. Don't even bother talking about it.

Isfand | 13 years ago | Reply @Sohail well said, If their was an UN Aid Council well then surely Pakistan would have have applied for a permanent seat xD Pakistan is not seeking a permanant seat in the Un council simply because lol why they should give to an impoverished,third world country which actively promoted terrorism in the past and which goverment's istitutions are famous for corruption and feudalism,i think first we should try to some kind of credibility as a country,state. These are great political and economical powers which doesnt have a permanent seat : Germany,Japan,Brazil.....so really why Pakistan??!! lol Btw India soon or later will get a permanent seat as its already an economical powerhouse and more over it rappresent's almost 1/6 of the human population,its just a matter of time.

ashoksai | 13 years ago | Reply In other words, " sour grapes " We dont need that.

Jerry | 13 years ago | Reply Minister Quereshi, Based on what you announced that "Pakistan is not seeking a permanent seat in UN"? Sir, clarify to the world like Dr. Manmohan Singh is doing. Every country has its own ambitions- to ruin itself or to grow etc..., We Indians are self sufficient in almost all the fields. no one can stop us before our strong democratic values and leaders. Our people learned the values of Gandhian principles and enjoing the democracy irrespective of cast, creed.... "You will fall in to the deep as you made it" Harvest is yours Regards

Asrar+Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Is this a policy statement of Government of Pakistan??? Has National Assembly approved this major policy statement?

Kittu | 13 years ago | Reply @Mr. Qureshi.. No other country in the world is more eligible than India to be in the security council. World body will finally make some sense with India as permenant member.

Sohail khan | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan only seeking for Aid, Not big deals are Required!

Sengathir | 13 years ago | Reply The idea of permanent membership is contrary to the spirit of democracy and accountability. Agreed, Minister.....

Asad | 13 years ago | Reply @Cynic I hope you mean sarcasm!

Asif | 13 years ago | Reply Here we go, the debate over India seeking a parmenent seat on the UNSC still continues! The UNSC reform will be a long process , somthing that wud require a time span of atleast 10 yrs from now if not less. Give it a break fellas!

Cynic | 13 years ago | Reply

Pakistan is not seeking a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) The idea of permanent membership is contrary to the spirit of democracy and accountability.

Well said, Minister!

Replying to X