UN disarmament panel passes Pakistan-led resolutions on arms control, nuclear security

A United Nations logo is seen on a glass door in the Assembly Building at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 18, 2015. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 08 November 2025
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UN disarmament panel passes Pakistan-led resolutions on arms control, nuclear security

  • Two other Pakistani resolutions stress confidence-building measures, security assurances to non-nuclear states
  • Move follows brief but intense May conflict between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India that left around 70 dead

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security adopted four resolutions sponsored by Pakistan on Saturday, including measures on regional disarmament, confidence-building and nuclear security assurances, said an official statement.

The adoption comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s recent conflict with India, during which the two nuclear-armed states fought a brief but intense war in May that killed around 70 people on both sides and raised global concerns about escalation in the region.

Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said in a statement that the committee unanimously adopted two of its resolutions entitled “Regional disarmament” and “Confidence-building measures in the regional and sub-regional contexts.”

The other two resolutions entitled “Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non‑nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons” and “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels” were adopted with an overwhelming majority of the member states.

“Pakistan has, for decades, led initiatives in the United Nations to advance priority issues of nuclear disarmament, regional disarmament, conventional arms control and confidence-building measures,” the statement said.

“The adoption of these resolutions reaffirms the importance of the international community’s priority on ‘negative security assurances’ as well as embracing regional approaches to disarmament and arms control,” it added, referring to pledges made by nuclear-armed states not to use or threaten nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.

Pakistan’s call for stronger confidence-building measures comes months after its own conflict with India, which prompted one of its top military commanders, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, to warn that the recent hostilities had increased the risk of future escalation.

He said during an interview in Singapore that international mediation might prove difficult next time, highlighting the absence of crisis management mechanisms between the two countries.

Procedurally, First Committee resolutions are forwarded to the full UN General Assembly for formal adoption in the coming sessions.


Pakistan advises citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran after Israeli attack

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Pakistan advises citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran after Israeli attack

  • The attack comes as the US assembles a fleet of fighter jets, warships in region to try to pressure Iran into a nuclear deal
  • Pakistanis in Iran must exercise caution, remain vigilant, minimize travel and stay in regular contact with missions, FO says

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office in Islamabad on Saturday advised Pakistanis to avoid unnecessary travel to Iran, while those who have already been in the Islamic republic were asked to exercise caution, following an Israeli attack on Iran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed his country had launched the attack and declared a state of emergency as thick smoke rose from an explosion in downtown Tehran, Iran’s capital, AP reported.

It wasn’t immediately clear what the target of the Israeli attack was. But it comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Sounds of three explosions were heard in central Tehran, state media reported, while FARS news agency reported that several missiles have struck University Street and the Jomhouri area.

“Pakistani nationals are advised to avoid all non-mandatory travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.

“Pakistani nationals currently residing in Iran must exercise caution, remain vigilant, minimize non-essential travel, and stay in regular contact with the Pakistani missions.”

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.”

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported it was a joint Israeli-American attack on Iran. The US military declined to immediately comment on the attack.

Foreign airlines have suspended flights to Israel and were returning to their original destinations, media reports indicated.

— With input from AP.