ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has opposed addition of new permanent members in the UN Security Council.

Taking part in debate at Inter-Governmental Negotiations at UN in New York, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Munir Akram suggested that principles of inclusivity, equity and consensus should be embedded in reform process.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s alignment with Uniting for Consensus proposal to only add non-permanent members. Meanwhile, Pakistan has called on the UN Human Rights Council to shift its attention to economic, social and cultural rights instead of disproportionately focusing on human rights situations in developing countries.

Taking part in a discussion on the future of UNHRC, Ambassador Munir Akram underscored the need for avoiding double standards in addressing rights issus at the UN. He said that some situations were prominently projected and amplified at the Council while more serious issues like Jammu and Kashmir was ignored.