Representational Picture

Islamabad, October 14: Pakistan has been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) with an overwhelming majority securing 169 votes in the 193-member UN General Assembly, Express tribune reported.

Elections were held in New York on Tuesday. Among the five candidates from the Asia-Pacific region vying for four seats, Pakistan secured the highest number of votes, a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan is currently serving on the HRC since 1st January, 2018. With its re-election today, Pakistan will continue as a member for another three-year term commencing on January 1, 2021, the communique added as quoted by the report.

Since the HRC’s establishment in 2006, this is the fifth time that Pakistan has been elected to the United Nations’ premier body on Human Rights.

According to the FO, the international community has once again reposed confidence in Pakistan, recognising its contribution to the national and global human rights agenda and strong credentials as a consensus builder in the HRC.

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to upholding, promoting and safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Pakistan will sustain its efforts towards ensuring that the HRC’s work is guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, dialogue and cooperation. In line with Pakistan’s commitment, we will prioritise advancement of tolerance, respect and constructive engagement in the HRC.”

The HRC has been a prominent forum for discussing the gross and systematic human rights abuses being perpetrated in Indian administered Kashmir.