ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will work for peace in the Middle East and Africa, and promote the right of self-determination of people living under foreign occupation if it gets elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN said on Sunday. 
Elections for five of the 10 non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for 2025-26 are set to take place on June 6. Pakistan says its candidacy has the endorsement of the 55-member Asian Group.
The South Asian country has been elected to the Security Council seven times, most recently in 2013. Other times Pakistan got elected was in 1952-1953, 1968-1969, 1976-1977, 1983-1984, 1993-1994 and 2003-2004.
Speaking to members of the US-based Pakistan Students Association Coalition (PSA Coalition) via video link, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram said election to the Security Council would require Islamabad to play a leading role in addressing Kashmir, Afghanistan and counterterrorism issues. 
“Pakistan will articulate developing countries’ aspirations, work for peace and in the Middle East and Africa as well as promote the right of self-determination for peoples under foreign occupation if elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council,” Akram said, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). 
Akram spoke about the current state of the world. including key global challenges amid regional conflicts. 
“He said that as the intense competition between major powers became a new reality of the world order, the world was undergoing a fast transition from its unipolar status to a bipolar plus order,” the APP said. 
The Pakistani ambassador’s comments came as Israel continues its relentless military assault on Gaza. Israel’s attacks against Hamas have killed at least 35,386 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. 
The Jewish state’s siege has brought dire food shortages and the threat of famine to the densely populated territory.
Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and urged world powers to work toward a two-state solution in the restive region, according to the aspirations of the people of Palestine.

ISLAMABAD: Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain reached Makkah on Sunday to review Hajj 2024 arrangements, the religion ministry said, as Pakistani pilgrims continue to arrive in Saudi Arabia ahead of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistani pilgrims have been arriving in Madinah since May 9 when Pakistan launched its pre-Hajj flight operations. At least 22,696 Pakistani pilgrims have since arrived in Madinah through 93 flights, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
Hussain, who arrived in Madinah earlier this week to inspect Hajj arrangements, reached Makkah on Sunday to hold important meetings with Saudi officials and gauge preparations for the Islamic pilgrimage.
“Chaudhry Salik Hussain will visit Saudi institutions, catering companies, and residences of Hajj pilgrims today, Sunday,” MoRA said in a statement.
It added the minister would visit the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Makkah’s office after performing Umrah.
Pakistan’s religion ministry said over 11,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims visited the “Riazul Jannah” in Madinah, a small space between the pulpit and the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which 63,805 people will perform the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest will use private tour operators. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14-19.