UNITED NATIONS, July 20: Pakistan on Thursday reiterated that any Security Council reform must be comprehensive ‘covering both its enlargement and working methods’. Addressing the UN General Assembly debate on the question of equitable representation and increase in Security Council membership as well as follow-up on the outcome of the Millennium Summit, Pakistan’s acting UN Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry said Pakistan favoured a constructive, inclusive and consensus approach to find a non-divisive solution based on the principle of equal participation of all member states.

Stressing that the Security Council reform is an issue of vital national interest to all UN member states, Aizaz said: “It is not surprising that while decisions have been possible on other UN reform issues, we continue to search for agreement on the vital issue of Security Council reform. Indeed, Council reform has been under consideration for several years.”

He emphasised that in order “to be effective and operational, Security Council reform should be the outcome of open and transparent consultations and negotiations, and the acceptance by consensus or the widest possible agreement.”

“Any decision promoted through self-centred initiatives, artificial deadlines and pre-emptory votes will be divisive and likely to be stillborn,” he warned.

“Within the Security Council also, consideration is being given to ways and means to improve its transparency and working methods,” he added.