Envoy says selective application of legal rules deepens global instability, weakens multilateral system
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, at the UN Security Council session. PHOTO: RADIOPAK
Pakistan has called for greater respect for international law, warning that the selective application of legal principles is deepening global instability.
Speaking at a high-level open debate of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on January 26, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the erosion of the rule of law was contributing to conflicts, humanitarian crises and weakening trust between countries.
He said international law was intended to make relations between states predictable and stable. But when countries ignore agreed rules, he warned, the law risks losing its meaning. The Pakistani envoy emphasized that “reaffirming the international rule of law is not an abstract legal exercise but a prerequisite for peace, justice and collective security.”
He noted that the fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter – including sovereign equality, non-interference, political independence, territorial integrity and the prohibition of the threat or use of force – are increasingly being questioned.
“The selective application of legal norms, the erosion of conventional obligations and unilateral actions have weakened trust between States and have strained the multilateral system of the UN Charter,” he stressed. “When the law yields to power or convenience, instability deepens, disputes become even more entrenched, and peaceful coexistence is endangered.” He warned against attempts to normalize unilateral actions outside the UN framework.
Referring to tensions with India, Ambassador Ahmad said Pakistan had experienced first-hand violations of international law. He claimed that last May, “India carried out unprovoked military aggression in violation of international law and Pakistani sovereignty.” It noted that Pakistan, “acting in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter,” exercised “its inherent right of self-defense in a responsible, restrained and proportionate manner.”
“Our response established that there can be no new normal based on coercion or impunity,” he said, adding that “respect for international law remains the only legitimate norm governing interstate conduct.”
Read: Pakistan asks to respect the UN Charter
Ahmad identified the “root cause of instability in South Asia” as “India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir in flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions,” warning of serious human rights consequences that jeopardize lasting peace.
He added that lasting peace in South Asia required resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and ensuring respect for treaty obligations, including water-sharing agreements. He also condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as “another flagrant violation of international obligations, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions and endangering peace and security.”
“Pakistan rejects the use of water and critical natural resources as weapons,” Ahmad said, noting that compliance with treaties is a cornerstone of the international legal order.
Despite regional tensions, Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, Ahmad noted. He said that “within weeks of defeating military aggression, Pakistan led the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution 27 (88) on the peaceful settlement of disputes.” This, the ambassador said, reaffirms the Council’s collective commitment to dialogue, mediation and judicial settlement and other peaceful means as a first resort to resolve disputes.
Turning to the broader global picture, the Pakistani envoy acknowledged that “due to double standards and lack of full compliance, the international system has often failed to fully benefit many countries, particularly in the global south.”
Despite this, he said, nations of the Global South continue to place their trust in the UN and a just, rules-based international order. Ahmad called for UN reform “towards equality, democracy and accountability, away from unbridled power and rights”, stating “reform for all, privileges for none”.
The UN envoy also highlighted what he described as positive developments in international law. Despite geopolitical tensions, he stated, the international legal framework remains resilient. He welcomed the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and the work of the International Law Commission on sea level rise, demonstrating the ability to respond to emerging challenges.
He also welcomed the recent advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice on Palestine and climate change, stressing that “these opinions must be respected and applied universally because selective acceptance would undermine the court’s authority and confidence in the international resolution.”
Addressing the situation in Palestine, Ahmad said it “clearly illustrates the consequences of selective adherence to international law.”
“The continued denial of the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination, persistent violations of international humanitarian law and disregard for relevant UN resolutions erode the credibility of the international system,” Ahmad said. He stressed that “a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through full respect for international law and the equitable application of legal principles for all.”
To avoid the selective application of international law, Ahmad made two proposals. He stressed that it is imperative that “Member States fulfill their obligations under Article 25 of the Charter to implement Council decisions.”
Read more: At the UN, Pakistan says it supports stability in Syria
First, “the Security Council should design effective mechanisms to systematically monitor the implementation of its own resolutions and take action in cases of persistent non-compliance.” Secondly, “the Council should engage in more systematic dialogue with the ICJ.”
He said the rule of law cannot be defended by statements alone. “For multilateralism to endure,” he said, “law must prevail over force and justice over impunity.”
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and supporting an international order centered on the UN and based on equal rules for all states. “Pakistan remains committed to a rules-based international order, inspired by the United Nations Charter, in which disputes are resolved peacefully, obligations are fulfilled and the UN serves as a true guarantor of peace, justice and dignity for all,” he added.
