EDITORIAL: Pakistan’s re-election to the [UN] Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) by … two-thirds majority is a matter of some gratification. We take note of this not for the sake of blowing our own trumpet. … This particular diplomatic success is significant as an evidence of the goodwill that Pakistan has earned, particularly in the ranks of the Third World countries. … It is now for Pakistani delegates to … fulfil the requirements that a significant role in world affairs warrants.

It is important to remember that one reason for the poor results of the country’s participation in various international gatherings in the past was the indifferent selection of delegations attending such forums. In many such instances the decisions in such matters were allowed to be influenced … by considerations of favouritism, political patronage and other extraneous factors, with the result that … persons of doubtful merit … were chosen to represent the country at important … international deliberations. … To a considerable extent, the malaise has since been rectified, as apparent from the speedy recovery Pakistan has been able to make on the international scene.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024