Pakistan seeks peaceful resolution of all issues on UNSC agenda

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan began its term on Wednesday as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the years 2025-2026, it sent a strong message to the five permanent UN Security Council Member States that Islamabad looked forward to seeking just and peaceful resolution of situations on the agenda of UN Security Council. Also, as a member of the Council, it will continue to oppose the unilateral and illegal use or threat of force, combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and support effective UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.

These remarks were made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at a reception he hosted for the representatives of the “Big Five” (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) at the Foreign Office.

Heads of resident Missions of the UN Security Council Member States in Islamabad and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended.

Besides Pakistan, Somalia, Panama, Greece and Denmark were also elected for the 2025-2026 term as non-permanent members of the UNSC.

The UNSC representatives were reminded about Pakistan’s commitment to working constructively with all UNSC members and with the broader UN membership to bridge divides, foster consensus, and uphold UN Security Council’s mandate in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Meanwhile, a change of guards at the Foreign Office took place during the day which saw Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, former ambassador to Moscow, and Poland, presently Additional Secretary Europe, being appointed as the new Spokesperson for the Foreign Office by replacing Mumtaz Zahra Baloch who has been appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to France.

The Foreign Office is expected to make an official announcement on Thursday (today).

Hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khan has also served in Beijing, Pakistan Mission to the United Nations in New York as Deputy Permanent Representative, Pakistan Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, and Diplomatic Adviser to the Speaker National Assembly.

Meanwhile, outgoing spokeswoman, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, paid a courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari and is expected to leave for Paris next week. She will be Pakistan’s second woman ambassador to France, the first being ambassador Asima Anisa some years ago.

In other developments, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities, Wednesday according to the Foreign Office. As the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India entered into force on 27 January 1991, the two countries have been exchanging the lists since 1st January 1992.

The list provides that both countries shall inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities, falling within its definition, on 1st January of each calendar year.

Accordingly, the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Simultaneously, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs handed over the list of India’s nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Another yearly exchange pertaining to exchanging lists of prisoners in each other’s custody also took place between Pakistan and India. “The simultaneous exchange of lists took place in pursuance of the Consular Access Agreement of 2008. Under the Agreement, both countries are required to exchange the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on 1st January and 1st July, every year,” said the Foreign Office.

Important is the request Pakistan has made to India for grant of consular access to 38 missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars. Pakistan handed over a list of 266 Indian prisoners (49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen) to a representative of the High Commission of India in Islamabad.

Simultaneously, India shared the list of Pakistani prisoners in its jails to an officer of Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi. According to the list, there are a total of 462 Pakistanis in Indian jails (381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen). “Separately, the Government of India has been urged to release and repatriate all those Pakistanis (52 civilian prisoners and 56 fishermen), who have completed their respective sentence and whose national status stands confirmed. The Government of India has also been urged to ensure safety, security and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, awaiting their release and repatriation,” said the Foreign Office.

India on Wednesday requested Pakistan to expedite the release and return of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistani jails, adds our correspondent. Additionally, India sought immediate consular access to 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani custody who are believed to be Indian nationals, as stated by the Indian ministry of external affairs (MEA).

The request was made during the biannual exchange of prisoner lists between the two nations, a practice established under a 2008 agreement, occurring on January 1 and July 1 each year.

According to Indian media reports, India has specifically asked Pakistan to ensure proper care and well-being of all Indian and presumed Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan until their return to India.

India has also reportedly requested Pakistan to accelerate the nationality verification of 76 presumed Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian custody, whose return awaits confirmation of nationality from Pakistan.

The Indian MEA has claimed that since 2014, through persistent efforts by its government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have returned from Pakistan.