UNITED NATIONS, May 9: Pakistan was among 44 countries elected to the new Human Rights Council, after polling an overwhelming 149 votes from the 191-member UN General Assmbly on Tuesday.

Speaking after the announcement of the election results, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram termed it a victory and “a recognition of the constructive role Pakistan plays as a bridge between the Muslim world and the West”.

Mr Akram said: “The vote we received was overwhelming because of the country’s support of developing countries and the causes of developing and the Muslim world … over the years.”

“This vote was obtained although we are aware certain quarters did not support Pakistan,” Mr Akram said, adding: “Pakistan enjoys great support among (UN) member states and certain quarters which have criticised Pakistan do not accept Islamic values and traditions, while we have tried to create a balance. Although the United States did not contest the elections it participated in the election process. India with 173 votes and Saudi Arabia with 126 votes were also elected to the council.

Agencies add: Sixty-three countries competed for the body’s 47 seats.

The council will be based in Geneva and its seats are being divided by regions.

The 13 African seats went to Algeria, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia.

Asia’s 13 seats were awarded to Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Sri Lanka. The eight Latin American and Caribbean posts were granted to Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

The seven slots designated for western Europe and others were accorded to Britain, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The Human Rights Watch termed Russia, China, Cuba, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia “unworthy” of membership on the body.

Iran and Azerbaijan failed to win membership in the initial round of voting.