UNITED NATIONS: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Monday made a strong case for Pakistan's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying if elected the Pakistani delegation would actively work to advance the shared goals of promoting peace, harmony and security in the world.
"Pakistan is at your service, and I request your most valuable support for our candidature," Khar said at a largely attended reception she held for her counterparts from around the world participating in the 66th session of UN General Assembly. The election, in which Pakistan is facing Kyrgyzstan, will take place on Oct 21.
The two countries are contesting the Asian seat on the 15-member Council being vacated by Lebanon at the end of this. The General Assembly, which is composed of 193 members, holds elections for non-permanent members by secret ballot.
Two-third majority -- 128 votes -- is required for election. A galaxy of Foreign ministers and heads of the missions accredited to the United Nations attended the reception. At the outset, the foreign minister praised Pakistan's UN Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon for his excellent work in the service of his country, saying she found him to be the most popular envoy here. Diplomats and journalists especially noted the presence of Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who came to the reception with his UN ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri.
Last year Pakistan voted for India when it won a non-permanent seat. In her speech, Khar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to multilateralism and the principles and purposes enshrined in the UN Charter as she focused on her country's role in the the peacekeeping missions around the world, the world body's flagship activity.
"Till date more than 100,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have participated in 38 peacekeeping missions around the world and 125 Pakistani Blue Helmets have laid down their lives in the service of humanity," the foreign minister told the delegates.
The Pakistani peacekeepers have been instrumental not only in restoring peace and stability, but also in rebuilding societies and providing critical medical and social services to local populations." Currently, she said, 9,154 Pakistani peacekeepers are deployed -- most of them in Africa -- in 8 peacekeeping missions.
"As a caring member of the international community, we have maintained this high-level of deployment despite domestic constraints arising from the ongoing fight against terrorism".
The foreign minister pointed out that Pakistan has been an active participant in the global development related processes including financing for development, environment and climate change.
"Let me assure you that we would persist in our efforts to advance collective goals of socio-economic development, global peace, interfaith harmony and human rights."
"Pakistan's long experience and active participation in the UN system enables it to contribute constructively towards addressing myriad of problems," the foreign minister, while underscoring the current challenging period.
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