UNITED NATIONS, April 28: Pakistan on Wednesday cautioned against any rush to a ‘divisive vote’ on the UN Security Council reforms, saying “it will heighten divisions at the UN, derail efforts for UN reform, deepen regional tensions and turn the United Nations into ‘Divided Nations’.

Speaking during consultations on ‘Strengthening the United Nations’ in the General Assembly, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized that the enlargement of the Security Council “should not merely serve the national ambitions of a few large countries; it should respond to the national interests of all the member states.”

“Pakistan has, therefore, consistently opposed the concept of creating new permanent members. Their permanent occupation of additional seats naturally implies reduced chances of representation for other member states. Obviously, this will be a zero-sum game – with six winners and 180 losers,” he said.

Pakistan, he said, supported a comprehensive reform of the Security Council. It should be made more representative of the UN’s general membership. Its working methods should be improved to make it more transparent, accountable and efficient.

“The reform of the Security Council, and other fundamental UN reforms, are serious issues for the entire membership. It is more important to achieve consensus on these issues rather than oblige member states to take a rushed decision according to an arbitrary deadline.”

Stressing that deep differences among member states on the issue had already overshadowed the purpose of the September summit, Mr Akram said: “The declared intention of a Group of 4 countries to submit a resolution to impose the endorsement of their unilateral and self-serving proposal through a vote in the near future, will heighten the divisions at the UN, disrupt the preparations for the September summit, including the development agenda, and derail the endeavour for UN reform.”

Pakistan’s chief delegate called for strengthening the UN in a manner that enables it to respond to the concerns and aspirations of all its members.