Pakistan today rejected demands being made by some countries including India for their inclusion as permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“In the 21st century, it is inconceivable to establish or run an institution â national or international â which does not embrace the fundamental principles of representation and accountability with periodic elections and fixed term and rotation," Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi said in her remarks during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process aimed at expanding the Security Council and making it more representative.
“But here we are gridlocked in reforming the Security Council because some among us want a status that defies the basic norms of democratic representation and accountability," she added.
Lodhi, however, did not take any times although it was clear that she was referring to Group of Four (G4) members â India, Brazil, Germany and Japan â that have been demanding permanent membership of the 15-member body for the past 20 years.
Lodhi further said that there was no disagreement over the demand that the Council should "reflect the realities of the 21st century" to enhance its legitimacy.
"But then some use this disingenuously as an argument to further their self-proclaimed candidacies for permanent seats based on contentious criteria for qualification," she said.
"Their claim however does not stand the test of accuracy because many states compete with them and even surpass them in all such criteria," she added.
Lodhi also pointed out that the criteria these countries lay out for permanent seats was exactly the same as provided in the UN Charter for the non-permanent members.
"So, if the criteria is the same, why the difference in character and responsibility?" Lodhi asked.
