Pakistan has reiterated its call for comprehensive reforms in the United Nations Security Council, terming the current system of permanent membership outdated and contrary to democratic principles.
Speaking at the Security Council’s open debate marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said that the idea of individual permanent membership “has become the most obsolete concept in today’s world.”
He criticized the existing permanent members for pursuing only their national interests, saying they neither represent the global community nor are accountable to anyone. “The vast majority of UN member states believe this structure is the root cause of the Security Council’s fundamental crisis,” he added.
Ambassador Iftikhar warned that adding more permanent members instead of addressing the issue would further complicate matters. “Those seeking to expand their ‘special club’ are only trying to preserve their old privileged status,” he remarked.
The Pakistani envoy urged all influential countries to join the process of genuine reform, abandon privileges, and help build a fair and representative global governance system based on equality and democracy.
Referring to the theme of the open debate — ‘The United Nations: Towards the Future’ — Ambassador Iftikhar emphasized that the global order must reflect the principles of the UN Charter, ensuring justice, peace, and equitable development for all nations, rather than serving the interests of a few powerful states.
