News Desk
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan began its term on Wednesday as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the years 2025-2026, it sent a strong message to the five permanent UN Security Council Member States that Islamabad looked forward to seeking just and peaceful resolution of situations on the agenda of UN Security Council. Also, as a member of the Council, it will continue to oppose the unilateral and illegal use or threat of force, combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and support effective UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.
These remarks were made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at a reception he hosted for the representatives of the “Big Five” (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) at the Foreign Office.
Heads of resident Missions of the UN Security Council Member States in Islamabad and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended.
Besides Pakistan, Somalia, Panama, Greece and Denmark were also elected for the 2025-2026 term as non-permanent members of the UNSC.
The UNSC representatives were reminded about Pakistan’s commitment to working constructively with all UNSC members and with the broader UN membership to bridge divides, foster consensus, and uphold UN Security Council’s mandate in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Meanwhile, a change of guards at the Foreign Office took place during the day which saw Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, former ambassador to Moscow, and Poland, presently Additional Secretary Europe, being appointed as the new Spokesperson for the Foreign Office by replacing Mumtaz Zahra Baloch who has been appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to France.
The Foreign Office is expected to make an official announcement on Thursday (today).
Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khan has also served in Beijing, Pakistan Mission to the United Nations in New York as Deputy Permanent Representative, Pakistan Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, and Diplomatic Adviser to the Speaker National Assembly.
Meanwhile, outgoing spokeswoman, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, paid a courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari and is expected to leave for Paris next week. She will be Pakistan’s second woman ambassador to France, the first being ambassador Asima Anisa some years ago.
In other developments, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities, Wednesday according to the Foreign Office. As the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India entered into force on 27 January 1991, the two countries have been exchanging the lists since 1st January 1992.
