ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2026-28 with an overwhelming majority of 178 votes, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
In a post on X, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, expressed profound gratitude to all UN member states for their support.
“Pakistan’s election is a recognition of its strong credentials and contributions in strengthening the global human rights framework,” he wrote on X.
With the Grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2026-28 with an overwhelming majority.
My profound gratitude to all UN Member States for their support!
Pakistan’s election is a recognition of its strong credentials and…— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 14, 2025
The United Nations General Assembly, in a statement, also announced 14 countries have elected for the term beginning on January 1, 2026, namely: Angola, Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, India, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, Slovenia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Viet Nam.
In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson stated this election to the Council marks the “sixth time Pakistan has been chosen for this role since the HRC’s establishment in 2006.”
“This recurring recognition underscores the international community’s trust in Pakistan’s commitment to defending, promoting, and protecting human rights both domestically and globally, as well as its contribution to strengthening the international human rights system.”
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Pakistan Elected to the UN Human Rights Council https://t.co/I3XT5oL9Lr
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 14, 2025
“Additionally, it highlights Pakistan’s proven track record and persistent efforts as a consensus-builder within the Human Rights Council,” the statement reads.
The FO maintained that during the term, Pakistan will actively engage with the broader UN membership and civil society to advance all facets of human rights. “This includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, alongside the right to development.”
“Pakistan will also lend its full support to the HRC’s mandate, ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights grounded in the principles of universality, objectivity, transparency, and non-selectivity,” it added.
The foreign office further added that Pakistan will continue to “draw attention to the grave human rights violations by the Indian occupation forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”
Pakistan will similarly highlight the human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, it added.
The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an intergovernmental body based in Geneva within the United Nations system, responsible for addressing human rights violations worldwide, including in territories under foreign occupation.
Comprising 47 Member States, the HRC addresses thematic human rights issues and specific situations requiring urgent attention.
