Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for sweeping reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), stressing the need for a more democratic, representative and accountable global system as the world grapples with rising conflicts and political instability.
Addressing the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the United Nations, Dar said the international community was confronting interconnected crises ranging from armed conflicts and climate emergencies to food insecurity and challenges linked to emerging technologies.
He warned that growing unilateralism and the selective application of international law were weakening global stability and eroding confidence in collective international action. According to Dar, the current global environment demands renewed solidarity and a stronger governance framework rooted in the principles of the UN Charter.
The meeting, organised by China, focused on improving global governance and strengthening multilateral cooperation in addressing international challenges.
Calling for changes within the UNSC, Dar said small and medium-sized countries, which make up the majority of UN member states, must receive fair representation in the council. He opposed the idea of expanding permanent membership, arguing that adding more permanent members would undermine sovereign equality and further reduce the council’s representative character.
The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, describing it as a principled approach based on cooperation and shared responsibility. Referring to the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said Pakistan would continue supporting the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter.
Dar also praised China’s role in international affairs and endorsed President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, calling it a timely framework aimed at addressing modern governance challenges. He said Pakistan values China as a stabilising force in world affairs and described the two countries as iron brothers and strategic partners.
Emphasising the importance of equal application of international law, Dar said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected without double standards. He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy should remain the preferred path for resolving disputes and called for the implementation of UN resolutions regarding people living under foreign occupation.
During his visit to New York, Dar also participated in a UNSC open debate on maintaining international peace and security under China’s presidency of the Security Council. Speaking at the session, he urged restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that another prolonged conflict could threaten regional peace, disrupt global energy supplies and worsen humanitarian suffering.
Referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran and the United States, Dar said peaceful settlement of disputes must apply equally to all issues before the Security Council. He added that Pakistan, as a neighbouring country of Iran and a close partner of Gulf states, consistently advocates restraint, diplomacy and dialogue.
The foreign minister further highlighted a recently announced five-point peace initiative jointly proposed by Pakistan and China during his visit to Beijing, aimed at promoting stability in the Gulf and Middle East regions.
Concluding his remarks, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working alongside China and the international community for lasting global peace and stability.
