Islamabad: Pakistan has emerged as a lead peacemaker in 2026, complementing its longstanding contribution as a United Nations peacekeeper, according to Sardar Masood Khan, former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China, and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Khan emphasized Pakistan’s crucial role in international peacekeeping since 1960, highlighting the significant sacrifices made in various global missions. Speaking after United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’s recent visit to Pakistan, Khan noted that the visit underscored both symbolic and substantive importance for Pakistan and the UN.

Pakistan has deployed thousands of personnel to numerous UN missions worldwide, reinforcing its commitment to international peace and the UN Charter. In 2026, Pakistan further extended its role by acting as a lead peacemaker, convening regional countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye to mediate conflicts, with support from China, the European Council, Canada, Australia, the OIC, and Gulf countries.

Ambassador Khan stated that Pakistan’s efforts have effectively fulfilled a role traditionally ascribed to the United Nations itself, in helping to avert conflicts and facilitate peace. The recent visit by Secretary-General Guterres also provided an opportunity to acknowledge Pakistan’s contributions to both peacekeeping and peacemaking.

In addressing other international concerns, Ambassador Khan noted that divisions within the UN Security Council, especially among the Permanent Five, have constrained decision-making. Despite these challenges, the Secretary-General has continued to work toward resolving disputes and supporting conflict-affected populations.

Ambassador Khan identified Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, and terrorism originating from Afghan territory as critical issues where Pakistan has received moral and diplomatic backing from the United Nations. However, institutional constraints have limited the UN’s ability to offer proactive support beyond declarations.

Expressing hope for future attention to Jammu and Kashmir, Khan described it as a potential nuclear flashpoint needing sustained international focus. He also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing struggle against terrorism, emphasizing that unlike other nations, Pakistan continues to confront terrorism with the same intensity experienced during NATO’s military presence in Afghanistan.