Eight terms. Seventy-four years between the first and the eighth. Pakistan’s record on the UN Security Council — 1952–53, 1968–69, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1993–94, 2003–04, 2012–13 and 2025–26 — puts it among a small club of countries the world keeps calling back to the horseshoe table.
Quick answer: Pakistan has served 8 terms as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council: 1952–53, 1968–69, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1993–94, 2003–04, 2012–13 and 2025–26. The current term (1 January 2025 – 31 December 2026) was won with 182 votes in the June 2024 General Assembly election.
All 8 terms, term by term
| Term | World context | Pakistan’s focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1952–53 | Korean War aftermath | Debut term, five years after joining the UN |
| 1968–69 | Cold War; Vietnam | Decolonisation debates; Kashmir advocacy |
| 1976–77 | Post-1971 world | Rebuilding diplomatic standing after the 1971 war |
| 1983–84 | Afghan jihad; Cold War peak | Afghanistan file from inside the Council |
| 1993–94 | Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda | The Council’s hardest decade; Pakistan’s peacekeeping peak |
| 2003–04 | Iraq war | Navigating the post-9/11 order as a frontline state |
| 2012–13 | Arab Spring; Syria | Middle East crises; counter-terrorism files |
| 2025–26 | Gaza war; great-power rivalry | Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan — serving now |
The eighth term: 2025–26
On 6 June 2024, the General Assembly elected Pakistan with 182 votes — well above the two-thirds threshold — backed by the 53-member Asian Group. The term runs 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026, replacing Japan in the Asian seat. Pakistan’s stated priorities: Kashmir and Palestine self-determination, Afghanistan normalisation, and African security files. Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar marked the term’s start with a reception at the Foreign Ministry in January 2025.
How countries get elected
The Council has 15 members: 5 permanent (US, UK, France, Russia, China — with vetoes) and 10 non-permanent, elected by the 193-member General Assembly for staggered two-year terms, five replaced each year. Candidates need a two-thirds majority by secret ballot, allocated by regional group. Pakistan’s eight elections — most recently uncontested within its group but still requiring the supermajority — reflect sustained diplomatic campaigning, not accident.
See when Pakistan joined the UN, the 1947 admission, and the full explainer.
Frequently asked questions
How many times has Pakistan been on the UN Security Council?
Eight times — more than most UN members: 1952–53, 1968–69, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1993–94, 2003–04, 2012–13 and 2025–26.
Is Pakistan currently on the Security Council?
Yes — Pakistan is serving its eighth term from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026, elected with 182 General Assembly votes in June 2024.
Does Pakistan have veto power at the UN?
No. Only the five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) hold vetoes. Non-permanent members shape debates and resolutions but cannot block them alone.
: every term explained, the 182-vote 2024 election, and how countries get elected.){kind=link}