United Nations, Dec 2: Pakistan, which has received the unanimous backing of the Asia Pacific Group, is most likely to be elected to the United Nations Security Council next year, giving it a virtual veto on sanctions against terrorists.
Even though it will not have veto powers on the decisions of the Council like the permanent members, the committee that imposes sanctions on terrorist functions by consensus and non-permanent members can also block its decisions.
If elected, Islamabad will not have to rely on China to protect Pakistan-based terrorists like Sajid Mir, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, who was given a reprieve in June at the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee. It will also have a seat on the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee.
If Pakistan is elected, it will be closely aligned with China, a counterbalance to South Korea, which will hold the other Asia seat till the end of 2025.
While about 50 national-level elections will sweep across the world next year, the UN will also have several elections to its bodies and the Council election held by the General Assembly will be closely watched.
Pakistan’s chances of election are strong because it has received the unanimous support of 53 electoral members of the Asia Pacific Group, including India, for the region’s seat that will be vacated by Japan at the end of 2024.
However, it is not a foregone conclusion because although Pakistan is the consensus candidate of the Asian Group, it will still need to get the votes of two-third of all the 193 members who will have the final say in the election that will be held in the middle of next year.
Pakistan had announced its intent to seek its eighth term on the Council when India announced its candidacy for the 2020 election for the 2021-22 term. India, which had the unanimous backing of the Asia Group, was elected with 184 votes. (IANS)
