Pakistan, along with 11 other countries, was elected as a member state of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council by the body's General Assembly on Monday, securing more than two-thirds of the vote.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi congratulated the country on its "diplomatic success" on her Twitter account and said that the "victory is a manifestation of the international community's trust in Pakistan".

"Pakistan's record of promoting and protecting human rights has been vindicating by this victory," she said in a tweet.

Lodhi lauded UN's Pakistan team for their efforts and contribution in securing more than two-third votes of the UN General Assembly. She also thanked the "world community" for the "overwhelming support".

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif also took to Twitter to announce the victory.

Other countries elected by the UN General Assembly include Australia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Qatar, Congo, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, Chile, Mexico and Peru. They will serve on the 47-member council from January 2018 through the end of 2020.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was elected to the UN Human Rights Council despite opposition from the United States and a leading rights group.

Kinshasa now finds itself in the rare position of sitting on the Geneva-based council while the body investigates allegations of killings, torture, rape and the use of child soldiers in the Kasai region of the DR Congo.

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...