KEY POINTS
- Pakistan also appointed Chair of the UNSC’s Sanctions Committee on the Taliban
- Pakistan’s election dents blow to India’s narrative on terrorism
- Pakistan to co-chair two informal UNSC working groups
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has been elected Vice-Chair of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), marking a significant diplomatic success for Islamabad and reaffirming its active role in global counter-terrorism efforts.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of the 15-nation UN body is responsible for monitoring and guiding international efforts to combat terrorism.
The committee deals with the implementation of measures to combat terrorism globally. Algeria will chair this committee in 2025, with Pakistan, France, and Russia serving as vice-chairs.
In a further diplomatic gain, Pakistan has also assumed the chairmanship of the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee, which oversees sanctions against the Taliban, according to media reports.
The committee monitors travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on individuals and entities linked to the Taliban, with decisions made by consensus among all 15 council members.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has been appointed chair of the influential 1988 Sanctions Committee.
Pakistan is set to play a pivotal role in global diplomacy as it assumes leadership of key committees within the UN Security Council during its tenure as a non-permanent member for 2025–26.
The UNSC Sanctions Committee’s primary mandate is to address threats to the peace, stability, and security of Afghanistan — a critical concern for both regional and global actors.
Guyana and Russia will serve as vice-chairs of the Taliban Sanctions Committee, diplomatic sources confirmed, Pakistan’s local media reported.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s interim government announced to upgrade the status of its Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad to Ambassador.
In recent days, diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have taken a significant step forward, with Islamabad elevating its Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul to the rank of Ambassador.
In response, the Taliban government has also appointed its representative in Islamabad as an ambassador.
According to the Afghan Foreign Ministry, this enhancement in diplomatic representation will pave the way for increased cooperation in various domains between the two nations.
According to the list of chairpersons for UNSC subsidiary bodies, Denmark will lead the 1267 ISIS and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, while Russia and Sierra Leone will support as vice-chairs.
Beyond formal chair positions, Pakistan will also co-chair two informal working groups — one on documentation and procedural matters, and another on general sanctions issues within the Security Council.
All sanctions committees under the UNSC consist of 15 members, and decisions are made by consensus.
Pakistan’s appointment to these roles underlines its growing diplomatic clout at the UN and its relevance in international peace and security dialogues, especially related to South Asia and counterterrorism efforts.
It is worth noting that Pakistan has been achieving diplomatic successes both during and in the aftermath of the recent clashes with India. Pakistan has effectively countered India on the diplomatic front.
Currently, a Pakistani diplomatic delegation, led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is on an international tour and is presently in the United States.
Earlier, the delegation held meetings with representatives of various countries at the United Nations, where it firmly rejected India’s narrative against Pakistan and presented Islamabad’s stance.
According to diplomatic analysts, Pakistan’s election as Vice-Chair of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee has dealt a blow to India’s narrative about terrorism. They say this development signifies international recognition of Pakistan’s position.
