NEW YORK: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), will leave this week to take up his responsibilities as foreign secretary in Islamabad.
His designation came on September 10. Before his departure, Ahmad met UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 30 for a farewell call.
Guterres thanked Pakistan for its work at the organisation and congratulated him on the appointment. In an interview with Dawn, Ahmad discussed Pakistan’s diplomatic priorities and pressed for more elected UN Security Council (UNSC) seats.
He supported arrangements based on periodic elections and rotation rather than additional permanent membership. “Member states should be ready to fulfil that responsibility without permanence and privilege,” he said.
Pakistan pursued that position alongside its partners in the Uniting for Consensus group. During Pakistan’s council presidency in July 2025, members unanimously adopted its Resolution 2788 on peaceful dispute settlement.
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It called for greater use of mechanisms available under the UN Charter. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Denmark jointly led Resolution 2823 in June on accountability for attacks against UN peacekeepers.
Council members adopted it unanimously. Ahmad cited its 153 co-sponsors as a record for a council resolution on the issue.
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Beyond Security Council negotiations, Ahmad pointed to Pakistan’s work on artificial intelligence and digital assets. He also cited its role in steering the General Assembly’s first resolution on access to assistive technologies.
His final major assignment involved the 81st General Assembly in September. Ahmad led Pakistan’s mission through meetings and briefings for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation and preparations for his address.
