UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan was unanimously elected as the chair of the UN Disarmament Commission on Monday, as the world body commenced its 2024 session.

The session follows escalating geopolitical tensions and growing apprehensions regarding the deepening mistrust among some of the world’s major military powers.

After its election, Pakistan informed the commission that it views India’s extensive arms acquisitions and aggressive military policies as a threat to peace and security in South Asia.

“Needless to say, these developments affect Pakistan’s security,” said Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram as the commission began its three-week session.

The commission is a crucial arm of the UN General Assembly, responsible for making recommendations on both conventional and nuclear disarmament. At the opening of its 2024 annual session, the United Nations’ High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu warned that “the risk of a nuclear weapon being used is higher now than at any time since the height of the cold war”.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2024