UN Sanctions Role Falls Short of Pakistan’s Aspirations Amid Global Scrutiny

 New York, June 7 — Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the Taliban Sanctions Committee at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2025. While this position is symbolically significant, it marks only a partial success for Islamabad, which had lobbied intensively for broader leadership roles within the UN sanctions architecture.

Despite its efforts, Pakistan was unable to secure chairmanships of key sanctions committees such as the 1267 (ISIL and Al-Qaida), 1540 (Non-Proliferation), and the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). According to diplomats familiar with the matter, this limited outcome reflects ongoing global concerns over Pakistan’s track record in addressing cross-border terrorism and harboring UN-proscribed individuals and entities.

In addition to chairing the Taliban Sanctions Committee (1988), Pakistan will serve as vice-chair of the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee—an appointment largely ceremonial in nature. By contrast, Denmark has been entrusted with chairing the powerful 1267 Sanctions Committee, with Russia and Sierra Leone acting as vice-chairs.

For the first time in UNSC history, the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Sanctions will operate under two co-chairs. Pakistan has been assigned co-chairmanship of the documentation IWG alongside Denmark, and of the sanctions IWG with Greece—two countries known for their close strategic ties with India.

Ambitions vs Allocation

Islamabad had originally staked claims to chair four critical bodies: the 1267 Sanctions Committee, the 1540 Non-Proliferation Committee, the 1988 Taliban Committee, and the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee. Ultimately, it secured only the 1988 Committee and a minor role in the CTC, a marked downgrade from its ambitions.

The limited allocation has reportedly caused frustration in Pakistani diplomatic circles. According to sources, the absence of consensus among UNSC members delayed the finalisation of these appointments by six months—an unusually protracted period attributed in part to opposition from states skeptical of Pakistan’s credibility.

Terrorism Concerns Undermine Candidacy

Pakistan’s track record has long drawn scrutiny at the international level. Of the 254 individuals and 89 entities currently sanctioned under the 1267 Al-Qaida and ISIL Sanctions regime, over 50 have direct or indirect links to Pakistan. These include high-profile UN-designated terrorists such as Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Tehreek-e-Labbaik’s Saad Hussain Rizvi.

Observers note that this history of hosting designated terrorists likely played a decisive role in Pakistan being denied the 1267 chair, amid fears that such a position could be misused to influence outcomes or delay actions against entities with Pakistani ties.

Notably, India, which co-chaired the CTC in 2022, has persistently highlighted Pakistan’s role as a safe haven for terrorist actors, most famously exemplified by the discovery and killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in Abbottabad in 2011.

Geopolitical Undercurrents at Play

In what is being viewed as a strategic setback for Islamabad, Russia and Guyana—both known to maintain strong bilateral relations with India—have been named as vice-chairs of the Taliban Sanctions Committee. Their presence is expected to act as a check on any unilateral moves by Pakistan.

Additionally, Pakistan’s co-chairing of two IWGs with Denmark and Greece, both close partners of India, further diminishes the likelihood of it gaining unrestricted influence in key deliberations.

India, which chaired the Taliban Sanctions Committee during its 2021–22 UNSC tenure, is now expected to work closely with its allies to monitor and counter any actions by Pakistan that may be perceived as undermining the global fight against terrorism.

While Pakistan has achieved a degree of representation within the UN Security Council’s sanctions architecture, the scope of its influence remains constrained. The appointments signal a broader international consensus that any leadership on counter-terrorism must be underpinned by trust, transparency, and a proven commitment to global norms—standards Islamabad continues to be measured against.