Islamabad, 27 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan has opposed expanding veto powers at the United Nations Security Council, calling for comprehensive, fair and inclusive reforms to ensure greater representation of member states. Islamabad has warned that granting additional countries the privilege of veto power could deepen existing inequalities within the council and further concentrate decision-making authority. Pakistan’s position was presented by Gul Qaiser Sarwani, counsellor at Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, who said Islamabad opposed granting veto privileges to new permanent members. He stressed that reforms should promote democratic representation and strengthen the role of elected members rather than create further divisions among countries. Sarwani said Pakistan supported abolishing the veto system or imposing strict limitations on its use, arguing that the misuse of veto powers undermined the credibility of the United Nations. Pakistan also reiterated its support for holding General Assembly debates whenever a veto is exercised in the Security Council. The council plays a central role in addressing threats to international peace and security, while its five permanent members have the authority to block substantive resolutions through their veto powers. Pakistan has called for increasing the number of elected members and strengthening their representation and participation in decision-making. Sarwani maintained that reforms should benefit all member states instead of granting special privileges to selected countries, adding that a more balanced structure would make the council more representative. Pakistan has also urged member states to address all five key areas of Security Council reform together through a comprehensive package of negotiations to prevent selective changes that favour particular countries. Islamabad’s position underscores its opposition to expanding permanent membership with veto privileges, while advocating a more equitable system that improves representation, limits the use of veto powers and strengthens the role of elected members. The broader debate on Security Council reform continues to focus on fair representation, decision-making authority and equality among United Nations member states.