New york: Pakistan stands ready to work with Africa and all partners for a just, democratic, and representative Security Council, truly reflective of the Charter's promise and responsive to the realities of our time. This was stated by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, while speaking at the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework Meeting on the African Model Discussion.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar stated that Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by Italy on behalf of the Uniting for Consensus group. He emphasized Pakistan's appreciation for the articulate presentation of the African model by the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, Michael Imran Kanu.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar reiterated Pakistan's firm belief in the principle of sovereign equality, which he asserted must remain central in the reform debate as a guarantee for a more democratic, transparent, representative, and accountable Security Council. Pakistan has consistently affirmed its understanding that Africa's call, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is not a pursuit of privilege but a desire for justice and equity.

The Permanent Representative to the United Nations expressed Pakistan's opposition to the creation of new permanent seats, arguing that it is contrary to the universally agreed principles of democracy, accountability, and transparency. He highlighted that Pakistan's policy is based on principles aimed at democratizing the Council through reforms that promote the interests and aspirations of all UN member states.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad concluded by stating that Pakistan believes additional elected members will enhance regional representation and ownership, thereby imparting more legitimacy to the Security Council.