Pakistan Struggles with Geopolitical Tug-of-War at UN
In a display of complex diplomacy, Pakistan found itself in the crosshairs at this week’s United Nations Security Council meeting. The country supported two contrasting resolutions linked to Iran—though not without tension and internal dilemmas.
Bahrain’s resolution was adopted by the council, which condemned Tehran for “egregious attacks” targeting Gulf sheikhdoms and Jordan. Meanwhile, Russia’s resolution, mourning the loss of life during conflicts, faced rejection due to accusations from the US representative who accused Moscow of protecting Iran. Pakistan’s UN envoy countered this criticism by asserting his nation’s commitment to maintaining solidarity with Gulf states while supporting the Russian initiative that urged a halt to military activities.
Despite its strong condemnation towards Iran’s aggressive actions and willingness to express unity with GCC allies for economic, strategic, and geopolitical reasons, Pakistan remains cautious in openly criticizing the United States-Israeli aggression against Iran. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently visited Saudi Arabia to discuss security matters. The countries have signed a mutual defense pact; hence, Riyadh’s safety is considered crucial.
The challenge lies in striking a balance that neither criticizes Washington too harshly nor overlooks Iran’s provocative behavior. Pakistan’s envoy highlighted the moral imperative for standing in solidarity with Gulf states but also underscored Russia’s support as valid—underlining the need to ensure a ceasefire and uphold regional sovereignty.
To navigate this delicate geopolitical landscape, Pakistan must advocate for comprehensive peace measures that include strong condemnation of regime change attempts within Iran, cessation of all attacks on regional countries, and assurances from US-Israeli entities refraining from violating Iranian or any other state’s sovereignty. The international community has acknowledged the need to address these main factors underlying the conflict.
Given this imperative, Pakistan could play a pivotal role by pushing for a new ceasefire resolution at the UN Security Council, similar to what Bahrain’s and Russia’s resolutions attempted but failed in achieving comprehensively. If such measures are pursued, the region might begin its journey back towards normalcy.
Published on March 13th, 2026, in Dawn.