Karachi: Pakistan called on United Nations Security Council to take “Bold decisions” to secure compliance of States with UN Charter’s principles and its own decisions such as to grant right of self-determination to people of Kashmir and Palestine.

“Council has various means available to it, under Charter, to secure such compliance,” Ambassador Munir Akram told 15-member Council. Speaking in an open day-long debate on ‘effective multilateralism”, Pakistani envoy suggested that UN Secretary-General should prepare an annual review of situations on Council’s agenda where its resolutions were being violated or remain unimplemented.

“Protestations of commitment to UN Charter ring hollow when no action is taken to redress these blatant violations of UN Charter and resolutions of Security Council on two issues on agenda of Security Council,” he added Debate was sponsored by Russia, which holds rotating Council presidency for month of April. Session was prominent appearance for Sergei Lavrov, who appeared at UN headquarters in New York, his first visit to United States since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began 14 months ago that saw him sparring with Western diplomats on conflict.

“International peace and security confront multiple threats, arising from violations of principles of UN Charter, great power rivalries, renewed global arms race, including in new domains and weapons, proliferating conflicts and disputes, spreading terrorism, hate and Islamophobia, organised crime, rising poverty and growing climate impacts.” Warning that an uncontrolled arms race which now encompasses several new weapons and new domains of competition will, sooner or later lead to disastrous conflict involving States armed to teeth, Ambassador Akram urged United Nations to take lead in reviving process of arms control and disarmament.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 26 2023

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