UNITED NATIONS, Oct 29: Pakistan on Thursday was elected to the Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), the economic arm of the United Nations, for a three-year term. The UN General Assembly elected Pakistan, India, China and Thailand to the council.

Pakistan secured 151 votes, India 174, China 157 and Thailand 153. Kazakhstan got 96 votes. Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram expressed satisfaction over the result.

Talking to newsmen, he said Pakistan would play an important role as a member of the council in view of the major contribution it would be called upon to make to the global development agenda.

Officials here said there was a possibility of Pakistan being elected the council's president. The Pakistan delegation will explore the possibility in this regard.