In a major diplomatic achievement, Pakistan has been appointed Vice-Chair of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) concerning global efforts to combat terrorism. The announcement was made in an official statement by Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s selection for this key role highlights its active participation in advancing the objectives of the UN Charter. Over the years, Islamabad has made substantial contributions to global peace and security, including its status as one of the leading troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions around the world. Pakistan was elected to the UN Security Council in June 2024, succeeding Japan in the Asian seat.
Having suffered extensively from terrorism over the past two decades—with more than 80,000 lives lost and thousands injured—Pakistan continues to play a frontline role in the fight against terrorism. It has consistently raised concerns at international forums regarding India’s alleged support for terrorist organizations such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which have been implicated in attacks within Pakistan.
Tensions between Pakistan and India have worsened following the recent killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack, a claim Islamabad categorically denied. Pakistan called for a transparent investigation and urged the international community to examine Indian-backed proxy activities allegedly destabilizing the region.
In a further show of confidence in Pakistan’s diplomatic standing, the country has also been appointed Chair of the UNSC Committee established under resolution 1988 (2011), which monitors sanctions on the Taliban. Additionally, Pakistan has been named Co-Chair of the Security Council’s Informal Working Group (IWG) on documentation and working methods, as well as the newly established IWG on Sanctions.
The documentation group is tasked with enhancing transparency, efficiency, and inclusiveness in Security Council operations, while the IWG on Sanctions aims to improve the design and effectiveness of UN sanctions regimes.
“These appointments represent an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s active engagement with the United Nations system, including its constructive role as an elected member of the Security Council,” the mission said in its statement. “They are also an international recognition of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.”
The statement further reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating with the United Nations and its member states in upholding the UN Charter and strengthening global efforts against terrorism.
In the most recent UNSC elections held on Tuesday, Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, Liberia, and Colombia were elected to serve two-year terms on the Security Council beginning January 1, 2026.
The UNSC remains the only UN body authorized to make legally binding decisions, including imposing sanctions and authorizing the use of force. Its five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — hold veto powers.
