Pakistan wins Security Council seat

Pakistan was elected on Friday to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for two years (2012-2013).


It secured 129 votes in the 193-member General Assembly and will replace Lebanon currently holding the Asian seat.

Pakistan has been a member of the 15-member Council on six occasions since the early 50s — 1952-53, 1968-69, 1976-77, 1983-84, 1993-94 and 2003-04.

This would be the fourth time for Pakistan to be in the council along with India. The two countries have shared terms in the Security Council in 1968, 1977 and 1984.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Hussain Haroon told reporters that Pakistan’s election to the Security Council was an acknowledgement by the international community of its services and its capabilities to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security which was the main function of the Security Council.

Council elections in the 193-nation General Assembly usually feature non-competitive states.
This time all but one region—Latin America and the Caribbean—took part in the contest, making it the most unpredictable vote for years.

Pakistan emerged triumphant on Friday from one of the most hotly contested United Nations Security Council elections in years. Morocco, Guatemala and Togo were the others to secure a seat.



Pakistan took the Asia-Pacific seat, getting 129 votes, the minimum required, to 55 for its only rival Kyrgyzstan. The two-year term begins on January 1, 2012.

Arch rival India will also remain on the council through 2012.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in a separate statement said the vote “reflects the importance and respect that Pakistan enjoys in the international community”.

It comes after Pakistan-US relations deteriorated dramatically over the May 2 American Special Forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden near Islamabad.

The US also insists that Pakistan break up militant groups operating across the border in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan will take its seat on the UN Security Council at a time when the world in general and our extended region in particular is witnessing developments of far-reaching implications,” Khar said.
“As in the past, Pakistan will play its constructive role in the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security.”

Pakistan has been on the council six times, according to official media, 1952-53, 1968-69, 1976-77, 1983-84, 1993-94 and 2003-04.

India and Pakistan have shared terms on the Council in 1968, 1977 and 1984.