KARACHI: External Affairs Minister Manzur Qadir said here yesterday that the struggle of the African people for freedom and particularly against racial discrimination would find “an echo in every Muslim heart”. The minister was addressing a meeting held under the auspices of the Pakistan-United Nations Association.

He said that it was an article of faith with the Muslims that colour and race have no significance. “The great people of Africa have our support and can depend upon Pakistan for help in their struggle for emancipation and independence. There are places where basic human rights are denied to people, but it has not killed their desire to be free,” he said.

Mr Qadir said that the effective arm of the UN was the Security Council where each member had the power of veto. The history of the exercise of veto shows what would happen to bodies in which it was essential for all members to agree.

He said stalemates have occurred in the Security Council. Pakistan itself was the victim of such a stalemate in the case of the implementation of Kashmir resolutions.

Mr Qadir said that the UN should remain politically and financially capable of discharging its functions. Several countries were not discharging their obligations in connection with the expenditure incurred in the Congo and the UNEF operations.