New York (United Nations) 31 October 2025 (SPS) – Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the principle of self-determination in its explanation of vote on the United Nations Security Council resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) yesterday in the Head Quarter of the UN, in New York.
Speaking after the vote, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, said his country abstained on the resolution to remain faithful to its “principled and long-standing position on the question of Western Sahara,” a position rooted in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
“Our position on this issue has all along been based on the resolutions of the Security Council, adopted over the years,” Ambassador Ahmad stated, emphasizing that Pakistan’s approach “was not adequately reflected in the resolution currently before the Council, which contains certain fundamental changes as compared to previous iterations.”
While acknowledging the United States’ efforts as self-proclaimed-Penholder of the resolution, the Pakistani envoy underscored that his country continues to attach “great importance to the early settlement” of the issue, particularly as it involves “friends with whom we share deep, historic, and fraternal ties.”
He went on to reaffirm Islamabad’s consistent position in favor of a fair and inclusive political solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people’s right to decide their future:
“We support a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, without preconditions, that guarantees the realization of the right to self-determination, and takes on board the positions of all parties, in conformity with relevant Security Council resolutions and the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy.”
Ambassador Ahmad expressed concern that the adopted resolution “does not fully address these important principles,” warning that these remain “vital to facilitating a mutually acceptable solution.”
Reasserting Pakistan’s conviction in the universal nature of the right to self-determination, he declared:
“For us, the cardinal principle of self-determination, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and grounded in international law, is, and will always remain sacrosanct and inviolable. It constitutes the very foundation of the post-Second World War, UN Charter-based international order.”
The Pakistani diplomat noted that, despite multiple rounds of negotiations on the draft, the final text failed to correct its “fundamental imbalance.”
“The underlying principle that the people of Western Sahara must determine their own future through the expression of their will has been consistently reaffirmed by the United Nations,” he said, stressing that his delegation had “consistently advocated for an approach that would garner consensus, bridge divides, and uphold fairness.”
Regretting that the final version of the resolution did not embody such inclusivity, the Ambassador voiced hope for renewed dialogue.
“We hope that all concerned parties would engage in negotiations in a spirit of inclusivity and good faith, without any preconditions, ensuring that any future process genuinely reflects the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara and commands the confidence of all stakeholders.”
He concluded that only such an approach could ensure peace and stability across the region.
“In our view, only such an approach can deliver a just and enduring peaceful settlement, one that lays the foundation for sustainable peace and stability across the Maghreb and the wider Sahel region.”
With this explanation of vote, Pakistan reaffirmed its principled alignment with international law and UN resolutions, placing the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination at the core of any legitimate and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara and slamming the US draft as unbalanced and a departure from the legal framework this conflict imposes. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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