NEW YORK (Diya TV) — In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistan has been appointed Vice-Chair of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and Chair of the 1988 Sanctions Committee, which oversees enforcement measures against Taliban-affiliated individuals and entities.
The UNSC’s decision places Pakistan at the forefront of critical international discussions on counterterrorism and regional stability at a time when the global body faces mounting challenges in managing complex geopolitical tensions.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee, comprised of all 15 Security Council members, guides international efforts to combat extremism, monitor compliance with anti-terror resolutions, and coordinate counterterrorism strategies across member states. Algeria will serve as Chair of the CTC, with Pakistan stepping in as Vice-Chair.
Simultaneously, Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the UNSC’s Taliban Sanctions Committee—officially known as the 1988 Sanctions Committee. This powerful body oversees travel bans, arms embargoes, and asset freezes on individuals and entities linked to the Taliban.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will chair the 1988 Sanctions Committee, solidifying Islamabad’s position in the council’s multilateral security apparatus.
These appointments come at a time when the United Nations is recalibrating the influence of its non-permanent members, acknowledging their growing role in shaping global policy. Analysts see the move as part of the broader dynamics within the Security Council, where emerging regional powers are increasingly taking on influential roles.
Pakistan’s elevation to these key positions has drawn mixed reactions on the international stage. While supporters argue that it recognizes Islamabad’s contributions to global peacekeeping and counterterrorism, critics have questioned the move’s implications, citing Pakistan’s historical ties with the Taliban and its complex counterterrorism record.
Some critics on social media likened Pakistan’s appointment to “hiring a thief to secure a bank,” arguing that the credibility of the Counter-Terrorism Committee could be undermined. Nevertheless, the decision was reached with the consensus of all 15 UNSC members, highlighting the political calculus involved.
The diplomatic milestone coincides with a thaw in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Pakistan recently upgraded its diplomatic mission in Kabul by naming Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani as its new ambassador, replacing the chargé d’affaires role he had held. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the decision via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling it a step toward stronger bilateral ties.
In response, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration welcomed the move. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the elevation in diplomatic status as “a positive step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation,” and hinted at a reciprocal upgrade of their envoy in Islamabad, Maulawi Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, to ambassadorial level.
