Islamabad – June 4, 2025: Pakistan will lead the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. The committee enforces strict measures on Taliban-linked individuals and entities, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes. These actions target groups and people seen as threats to Afghanistan’s peace and stability.
This leadership role marks a significant diplomatic achievement for Pakistan, now a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UNSC for the 2025–26 term. Alongside this, Pakistan will serve as vice-chair of the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee, further boosting its global counter-terrorism profile.
Guyana and Russia will assist as vice-chairs of the Taliban Sanctions Committee. Meanwhile, Algeria will chair the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee. France, Pakistan, and Russia will support as vice-chairs in this body as well.
Strategic Global Positioning
In addition to its chairmanship, Pakistan will co-chair two important UNSC Informal Working Groups—one on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, and another on General Sanctions Issues. These roles place Pakistan at the heart of critical decision-making on global peace and security.
Denmark will lead the 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, while Russia and Sierra Leone will serve as its vice-chairs. These committees collectively oversee efforts to combat terrorism worldwide.
This announcement comes amid ongoing international scrutiny. India, a recent non-permanent member, previously led the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022. New Delhi has often accused Islamabad of harboring UN-proscribed terrorists, citing the example of Osama bin Laden, who was found and killed in Abbottabad in 2011.
Nevertheless, Pakistan’s new role suggests a shift. It now seeks to reshape its global image through multilateral engagement.
China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US continue to hold permanent seats on the UNSC. Current non-permanent members also include Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia.
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As Pakistan assumes leadership of the UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee, it steps into a pivotal role in global security. Ultimately, this key diplomatic position may offer Pakistan a chance to demonstrate accountability and reshape its diplomatic position on the world stage.
