Pakistan has renewed its call to abolish or severely restrict the United Nations Security Council’s veto power, arguing that its use can block action on major international peace and security issues.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — WEB DESKPakistan has called for the abolition or strict restriction of veto power in the United Nations Security Council, renewing its demand for reforms to make the global body more representative, accountable and effective.
Pakistan’s position reflects concerns that the veto held by the council’s five permanent members can prevent collective action on major international crises, even when a majority of member states support a proposed resolution.
The five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — can each block substantive resolutions through their veto. The council also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
Pakistan has argued that the existing arrangement gives disproportionate influence to a small group of countries and can contribute to prolonged deadlock on matters involving international peace and security.
Pakistan opposes expansion of permanent membership
Islamabad has also reiterated its opposition to adding new permanent members to the Security Council, particularly if the expansion includes additional veto powers.
Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has argued that increasing the number of veto-wielding countries would deepen existing divisions rather than resolve the council’s structural problems.
Pakistan instead supports expanding the elected, non-permanent membership of the council to improve representation and provide a stronger voice to a wider range of countries.
The position aligns with the Uniting for Consensus group, which Pakistan and Italy help lead. The group opposes creating additional individual permanent seats and supports alternative arrangements that would allow countries to serve longer terms without becoming permanent members.
Calls for greater accountability
Pakistan has also supported measures to improve transparency and accountability when a permanent member uses its veto.
These include allowing the UN General Assembly to examine and debate veto decisions, alongside broader reforms intended to strengthen the role of elected members and increase the political cost of blocking resolutions supported by a majority.
Under an existing General Assembly mechanism adopted in 2022, a formal meeting is convened following the use of a Security Council veto, giving member states an opportunity to discuss the decision.
However, changing the council’s permanent membership or veto arrangements would require substantial international agreement. Amendments to the UN Charter must also meet specific ratification requirements, including approval by all five permanent Security Council members.
A long-running debate over UN reform
Reforming the Security Council has remained a contentious issue among UN member states for years. Countries including India, Brazil, Germany and Japan have advocated expanding permanent membership, while Pakistan’s group favours increasing elected representation instead.
The disagreement reflects broader debates about how the United Nations should adapt to changing global power structures while retaining its ability to respond to conflicts and security threats.
Pakistan continues to argue that meaningful reform must address veto power, representation and accountability together rather than treating them as separate issues.
No agreement has yet resolved the competing proposals, leaving Security Council reform an ongoing diplomatic challenge.
