Saturday, March 29, 2025
New York, May 5, 2025 – Pakistan has officially requested an emergency closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) amid growing tensions with India. This move comes in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, which New Delhi has blamed on Islamabad.
Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UNSC, is seeking to highlight what it describes as India’s “aggressive posture” in the region. Greece currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council for May.
The emergency session is scheduled to be held today in New York. Pakistani officials plan to raise concerns about India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, visa cancellations for Pakistani citizens, and troop movements along the border.
India responded firmly to Pakistan’s actions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar contacted foreign ministers from nearly all UNSC member nations except China and Pakistan. In conversations with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, Jaishankar emphasized their joint stance against terrorism. Greece condemned the recent attack and affirmed its opposition to all forms of terror.
Jaishankar also spoke with his counterparts from the U.S., Russia, France, UK, South Korea, Denmark, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Guyana, Slovenia, Somalia, and Panama. He stressed the need for international accountability for the attackers and their supporters.
The Pakistani request follows a terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Militants killed 26 people, marking the deadliest assault in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. India accused Pakistan of harboring cross-border terrorists and took a series of retaliatory actions.
India revoked visas for Pakistani nationals and shut down the integrated check post at the Attari-Wagah border. It also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and cut staff at its Islamabad High Commission by nearly half. India further expelled Pakistani military advisors.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar instructed its UN Ambassador, Munir Akram, to urgently call the UNSC meeting. According to a statement from Pakistan’s foreign office, the country aims to expose India’s “provocative actions and statements.”
Pakistan also intends to brief the Council on the alleged threat India poses to regional peace and security. Last week, Pakistani Ambassador Asim Iftikhar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to share Islamabad’s concerns.
Yvan Evangelos Sekeris, Greece’s UN ambassador and current UNSC president, confirmed the Council’s deep concern over the situation. He said the Council could convene swiftly if a formal request is made. That request came on Sunday, and the meeting is now confirmed.
After the session, Ambassador Iftikhar is expected to address the media with Pakistan’s official statement.
