Pakistan has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with an overwhelming majority for the 2026–2028 term, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday.
In a statement on X, Dar expressed gratitude to all UN member states for their support, calling the victory a recognition of Pakistan’s “strong credentials” and its “contributions in strengthening the global human rights framework.” He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work with the international community on the principles of tolerance, respect, consensus-building, and constructive engagement.
Pakistan’s election to the UNHRC underscores its growing international role in promoting peace, development, and human rights. The country has remained a key contributor to global peacekeeping efforts and one of the largest troop-contributing nations to UN missions worldwide.
In recent months, Pakistan has also strengthened its engagement within the United Nations system. In July, Islamabad assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the month, while a month earlier, it was appointed vice-chair of the UNSC’s Counter-Terrorism Committee.
The committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Resolution 1373 (2001), which outlines international counter-terrorism measures.
The UNSC is the only UN body with authority to make legally binding decisions, such as imposing sanctions or authorising the use of force. Its five permanent members — the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia — hold veto powers, while ten non-permanent members are elected, with five joining each year.
Last month, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, called for enhancing and better equipping peacekeeping missions to address the root causes of global conflicts, sustain ceasefires, deter escalation, and promote dialogue.
