Scorching irony: Pakistan to be vice-chair of UN’s counter-terror panel, head sanctions body

A strange irony has unfolded in New York, Pakistan – often referred to as the “global exporter of terror” – is set to chair the United Nations Security Council’s Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. It will also serve as vice-chair of the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee.

The Taliban Sanctions Committee , also known as the 1988 Committee, is responsible for measures such as freezing assets, imposing travel bans, and enforcing arms embargoes on individuals and groups linked to the Taliban that pose a threat to peace and security in Afghanistan.

Guyana and Russia are set serve as vice-chairs of this committee, which will be headed by Pakistan.

Pakistan to vice-chair counter-terror committee

Algeria will chair the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee, with France, Pakistan, and Russia acting as vice-chairs. According to the official UN list, Denmark will lead the 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee in 2025, with Russia and Sierra Leone as vice-chairs.

A non-permanent member

Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the 2025–26 term, will also co-chair two informal working groups — one focused on documentation and procedural matters, and the other on general sanctions issues.

India previously chaired the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022 during its 2021–22 term as a non-permanent member.

India has repeatedly highlighted that Pakistan harbours the highest number of UN-designated terrorists and terror outfits.

Osama-bin Laden was killed in Pak’s Abbottabad

Al Qaeda leader Osama-bin Laden, for instance, was found hiding in Pakistan’s Abbottabad and was killed in a US Navy SEAL operation in 2011.

The Security Council comprises five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US. Apart from Pakistan, the current non-permanent members are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia.

Pahalgam terrorists were backed by Pakistan

Recently, Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam on 22 April, triggering a fierce response from New Delhi. India alleged “ cross-border terror links ” and took strong diplomatic measures against Islamabad, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani diplomats.

India’s Operation Sindoor

India responded with precision strikes targeting nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that nearly 100 terrorists were neutralised in these strikes.

‘Pakistan, global exporter of terror’

Experts have long labelled Pakistan a “global exporter of terror” due to its continued support for extremist groups. This support includes providing safe havens, funding, and training to organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which have carried out attacks across South Asia and beyond.

Terrorism is means of survival for Rawalpindi-based Pak army

These groups often operate with backing from Pakistan’s military and intelligence services, who use them as tools for strategic influence. In return, these outfits serve to justify the military’s dominance within Pakistan’s power structure.

Pakistan uses these groups to spread terror and target civilians. When India retaliates in self-defence, the Pakistani military – headquartered in Rawalpindi and effectively the real power centre – uses Indian action to stoke fear among the public, thereby consolidating its authority.

Pak military’s same tactics in Kargil war

Similar tactics were seen during the Kargil War, when Pakistani forces occupied Indian positions and falsely portrayed it as a local insurgency. After a strong Indian counter-offensive, Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw.

Harbouring terror since birth

India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Western nations have consistently criticised Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and using them as instruments of foreign policy. Incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the discovery of bin Laden on Pakistani soil have only reinforced these concerns.

Despite international pressure – including scrutiny from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – Pakistan’s military and intelligence networks continue to face serious allegations of supporting terrorism, jeopardising both regional and global stability.