In what many are calling a blatant mockery of global counter-terror efforts, Pakistan has been appointed to chair two critical United Nations Security Council (UNSC) committees:
- The Taliban Sanctions Committee (1988 Committee)
- The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)
Yes, you read that right—the same country accused of harboring terrorists, providing safe havens to Taliban leaders, and being home to the likes of Osama bin Laden, is now set to “lead” global discussions on terrorism.
Is This a Joke or Geopolitics?
Unfortunately, it’s realpolitik at its worst. Pakistan, which has faced years of scrutiny for its double-dealing on terror, is now in a position to influence decisions on sanctions against the Taliban—a group it has long been accused of backing both strategically and militarily.
This appointment isn’t accidental. It’s part of the UNSC’s rotational system, where non-permanent members are assigned roles. Pakistan is currently serving on the Council, and by that process, has now assumed chairmanship of two of its most sensitive committees.
But the irony isn’t lost on India—or the world.
India Reacts: A Bitter Pill to Swallow
India, which has repeatedly borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism, sees this move as deeply problematic. New Delhi has long maintained that Pakistan uses terror as state policy, citing Pulwama, Uri, Mumbai 26/11, and dozens of other attacks backed by UN-designated groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the Haqqani Network.
Diplomatic sources in Delhi say this appointment raises serious concerns about the credibility of international counter-terror mechanisms.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has previously highlighted how UN processes get manipulated by geopolitical convenience, and this episode only reinforces those fears.
How Did This Happen?
Pakistan didn’t win this position—it was handed over as part of procedural tradition. The real issue is that no major power objected strongly enough, despite Pakistan’s controversial track record:
- Hosting Taliban leaders in Quetta
- Protecting Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar for years
- Providing safe havens for al-Qaeda operatives
- Walking a diplomatic tightrope between the U.S. and terror groups post-9/11
And yet, the UN—a body that claims to stand against terrorism—has looked the other way.
What Does This Mean Going Forward?
Let’s break it down:
- Pakistan will now oversee the sanctions regime against the Taliban—a regime that affects travel bans, arms embargoes, and financial restrictions.
- It will also lead the Counter-Terrorism Committee, responsible for monitoring how countries implement anti-terror measures globally.
That means the watchdog has become the gatekeeper, a country long accused of raising the very threats it’s now meant to monitor.
Global Hypocrisy on Full Display?
This move also exposes a hypocrisy in global diplomacy. Nations that sell weapons to Pakistan, give it military aid, or use it as a strategic pawn against rivals like China or Russia, suddenly forget its terror record.
Meanwhile, India, despite being a victim of terrorism, has to work harder to make its voice heard.
Is this how the world fights terror—with compromised principles and procedural appointments
