Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia`s calls for reforming UNSC

Islamabad: Pakistan Saturday backed Saudi Arabia`s call for reforms of the UN Security Council, saying it has always advocated effective and feasible changes of the world body based on consensus among its members. Pakistan enjoys close brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and fully understands the "imperatives and compulsions which led to their decision not to join the Security Council" after being elected as a non-permanent member for 2014-2015, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said in a statement.

The Security Council should be equitable, fair and democratic, he said. Pakistan agrees with the Saudi government that there should be forward movement and progress on all issues including Syria, Palestine and other long-standing matters like Kashmir, he said. He further said Pakistan has always supported all efforts to ensure peaceful resolution of disputes and is confident that Saudi Arabia will continue to play its role in maintaining international peace and security. Just hours after winning a coveted place on the Security Council for the first time, Saudi Arabia had on October 18 rejected the seat, denouncing the body for failing to resolve conflicts like the Syrian civil war.