As Pakistan’s month-long presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) enters its final stretch, Islamabad is preparing for a strategic diplomatic push. On July 22, Pakistan will host an open debate on unresolved global disputes though the agenda appears broad, sources suggest Pakistan aims to use this platform to indirectly spotlight the Kashmir issue without naming it directly.
The move reflects Islamabad’s effort to address long-standing global conflicts through multilateral diplomacy, while avoiding explicit references that could trigger opposition or vetoes, especially from key UNSC members.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to travel to New York to chair the debate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also expected to brief the meeting. Pakistan intends to present a resolution encouraging member states to use peaceful means — such as mediation and arbitration — to resolve disputes.
The resolution will invoke Chapter VI of the UN Charter and article 33 of this chapter outlines that disputes threatening international peace should be addressed through peaceful methods chosen by the parties involved. The expected resolution will be conceptual and principle-based rather than specific to any single conflict, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan reportedly decided not to mention Jammu and Kashmir directly in the resolution to avoid triggering a veto. A UNSC resolution needs at least nine votes and no opposition from any of the five permanent members. Only China consistently backs Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, while others view it as a bilateral issue with India.
Syed Akbaruddin, former Indian Ambassador to the UN, noted that the resolution would remain broad and avoid controversial specifics. He believes this will help Pakistan push the resolution without it being blocked by other permanent members.
This move follows a closed-door discussion Pakistan initiated on May 5, which focused on India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The current open debate serves as a continuation of those efforts, albeit through a more public and generalized forum.
Additionally, Pakistan plans to host another high-level UNSC event before its term ends. This meeting will promote cooperation between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The 57-member OIC has frequently backed Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue, and the event is seen as another subtle diplomatic move to keep Kashmir within international conversation without directly naming it.
By choosing not to name Kashmir directly, Pakistan appears to be playing a long-term strategic game. Islamabad is trying to use its UNSC presidency to keep Kashmir relevant on the global stage, while avoiding direct confrontation with powerful nations. With its tenure ending soon, the final events under its leadership may set the tone for future discussions on unresolved conflicts worldwide.
