The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has elected Pakistan to serve a three year term on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), commencing on January 1, 2026. The election, held on October 14, 2025, saw Pakistan secure its seat with a significant majority, demonstrating a renewed measure of international confidence in the country's commitment to global human rights discourse.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release, that Pakistan secured its seat with a resounding 178 votes from the 193-member UNGA. This marks the sixth time Pakistan has been chosen for this role since the Council’s establishment in 2006.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the election, expressing his pleasure and stating that Pakistan’s successful bid “reflects its effective role in the United Nations,” according to a statement reported by state media on the same day. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed profound gratitude to all UN member states for their support, stating that the election is a recognition of Pakistan’s “strong credentials and contributions in strengthening the global human rights framework.”
The Foreign Office Spokesperson, in a briefing on October 17, 2025, reiterated that the recurring recognition from the international community underscores the trust in Pakistan's commitment to defending, promoting, and protecting human rights both domestically and globally. The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan will continue to be a consensus builder within the Human Rights Council, working to advance all facets of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Furthermore, Pakistan stated its commitment to using the HRC as a platform to draw attention to what it terms the "grave human rights violations" in the Indian Administered Kashmir, which Pakistan calls as 'Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir' and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
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