In a major diplomatic victory, Pakistan has secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term. The country won 178 out of 190 votes during the UN General Assembly session in New York. This will be Pakistan’s sixth term on the Council since its creation in 2006.
Headquartered in Geneva, the UNHRC is the UN’s main body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. It has 47 member states, each serving a three-year term. From the Asia-Pacific region, Pakistan joins Iraq, Vietnam, and India as a new member. In Europe, Slovenia, Estonia, Italy, and the United Kingdom were elected, while Angola, South Africa, Egypt, and Mauritius won seats from Africa. From Latin America, Chile and Ecuador earned positions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar thanked UN member states for their strong support. He said Pakistan’s election “reflects its solid credentials and consistent contribution to strengthening the global human rights framework.” He added that Pakistan remains committed to promoting tolerance, respect, universality, consensus-building, and engagement in global affairs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the development, calling it proof of Pakistan’s “effective and active role” at the United Nations. He reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to work for the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Bilal Ahmed, said the country will begin its term on January 1, 2026. He noted that Pakistan, as coordinator for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the UNHRC, has led key initiatives against Israeli human rights violations and exposed abuses in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Through this renewed mandate, Pakistan aims to continue advocating for justice, equality, and the protection of human dignity on the world stage.
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