Speaking at the International Law Year in Review 2026 Conference on Thursday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, issued a pointed warning against “legal exceptionalism” and the selective application of international treaties.
Ambassador Asim underscored that the erosion of treaty obligations and the uneven application of international law are currently undermining the foundations of collective security established post-World War II.
Remarks by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN
At the Ambassadors’ Roundtable Discussion on the Theme of International Law in Action
International Law Year Review Conference 2026
(January 22, 2026)
********Thank you, Professor Koh,… pic.twitter.com/5wqw3EHoc6
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) January 22, 2026
Defending the UN Charter and Treaty Integrity
“There must be no space for selective compliance,” the Ambassador stated, calling for the principles of the UN Charter to be applied “more consistently, more courageously, and more faithfully.”
He specifically highlighted the “disturbing trend” of unilateralism, citing India’s recent move to place the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Such actions, he warned, not only weaken global confidence in international law but pose a direct threat to regional stability.
Security Council Reform and Technology
On the critical issue of UN Security Council reform, Pakistan reaffirmed its long-held opposition to the expansion of permanent membership. Ambassador Asim argued that reform must:
- Enhance the weight and power of elected members.
- Avoid exacerbating the fundamental flaws of the veto.
- Address the paralysis caused by major power divisions.
He also urged the UN to take a leadership role in regulating emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber operations, and autonomous weapons systems, to ensure these new domains do not become unregulated zones of conflict.
The “Board of Peace” and Multilateralism
In a significant diplomatic move, Pakistan joined 19 other nations on Thursday in endorsing the charter of the “Board of Peace,” an initiative led by United States President Donald Trump.
While the Board of Peace is intended to work “in conjunction” with the United Nations, Ambassador Asim’s remarks suggested a careful balancing act. He noted that while the majority of member states maintain “deep faith” in the UN’s legitimacy, the institution requires urgent renewal to prevent it from being marginalized by ad hoc diplomatic mechanisms.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s presidency of the Security Council last year, the Ambassador cited the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788 as proof that consensus remains possible even amidst geopolitical rivalries. He concluded that the solution to global instability lies in a rules-based order where international law is the primary arbiter, rather than the “economic coercion” or “parallel initiatives” of individual powers.
