Pakistan Calls for Abolition or Curbs on UN Veto Power
Pakistan told the UN General Assembly the veto should be abolished or severely restricted and opposed adding new permanent members.
On UN veto power, Pakistan has called for the Security Council veto to be abolished or, failing that, severely restricted, and has opposed giving the veto to any new permanent members. The position was set out at the UN General Assembly’s debate on the use of the veto in late October 2026, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.
What Pakistan said
- The veto held by the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK and the US) has caused institutional paralysis in the Security Council.
- The ideal is to abolish it; if that is not possible, its use should be tightly limited.
- Pakistan rejects new permanent seats, arguing they would add more veto-style privilege rather than reduce it.
Pakistan’s statement was delivered by Gul Qaiser Sarwani, according to APP.
Why the General Assembly debates the veto
Under General Assembly resolution 76/262, adopted in 2022, the Assembly meets automatically within ten working days whenever a veto is cast in the Security Council, so the country using it has to explain its decision to all UN members.
Pakistan’s wider position on Security Council reform
| Issue | Pakistan’s view |
|---|---|
| Veto | Abolish, or severely restrict |
| New permanent members | Opposed |
| Expansion | Supports more non-permanent, elected seats |
| Group | Member of Uniting for Consensus (UfC) |
Uniting for Consensus is a group of countries, including Pakistan and Italy, that opposes adding new permanent members and backs longer or more elected seats instead.
What it means
Pakistan’s stance is long-standing and is closely tied to its opposition to India’s bid for a permanent seat. Any change to the veto needs a UN Charter amendment, which requires approval by two-thirds of UN members and ratification by all five permanent members, so abolition is very unlikely in practice. The debate keeps pressure on how often, and why, the veto is used.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries have veto power at the UN?
China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Does Pakistan want a permanent seat?
No. It opposes any new permanent seats and supports more elected seats.
Related: Oil price and the impact on Pakistan · Pakistan Budget 2026-27 guide
Sources: APP (27 October 2026); Express Tribune; UN General Assembly.
