(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Pakistan enjoys enormous respect at the United Nations thanks to its constructive role at the world body, ambassador Maleeha Lodhi has said.
'Pakistan's standing at the UN, over the years, is reflected in the multiple times it has been elected to key UN bodies, she told a delegation of the US War College at the Pakistan mission to the UN, according a press release.
Pakistan has been elected seven times to the Security Council and four times to the Human Rights Council, she said.
Lodhi said that Pakistan's engagement at the UN extends to all three pillars of the UN system, peace and security, human rights, and development.
Among the world's top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping, Pakistan's role at the UN has been prominent not only in the area of hard power, but has also contributed significantly in the area of soft power.
Lodhi also briefed the delegation in detail on the gains that Pakistan has made in the political, security, and economic areas.
On the political front, she said, democracy has been strengthened and consolidated with the country experiencing the longest period of uninterrupted democracy in its 70 year history.
'Pakistan will see for the second time in its history the transfer of power from one elected government to another, after elections that are due in a few months' time, Lodhi said.
She told the delegation that there is now a firm national consensus for democracy in the country and that the military is part of this consensus.
Democratic institutions and traditions are becoming stronger in Pakistan, Lodhi said, pointing to an independent judiciary, a vibrant media, and an expanding and diverse civil society.
On the security front, she said that Pakistan has turned the tide against terrorism.
'We have sought to eliminate all terrorist groups through a comprehensive strategy, involving forceful law enforcement actions and targeted military operations as well as actions to counter violent extremism and its toxic narrative, she added.
Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN said that the country had launched the largest anti-terrorism operation anywhere in the world, involving the deployment of 200,000 troops.
This, she asserted, had produced remarkable results.
Violence-related incidents, including bombings and militant attacks in the country, have declined dramatically and the number of terrorist attacks have fallen by almost 60% since 2010, and are now at the lowest level since 2006.
'This does not mean the challenge is over, but we are now in a much better place, Lodhi added.
On the economic front, she said that Pakistan has transitioned from a crisis to a stable economy and the economy was poised for rapid growth.
The energy crisis, Lodhi said, which has been an impediment to growth and economic activity, is being addressed and the number of hours of load shedding has been significantly reduced.
On the foreign policy front, she said that the its external engagements and strategy emerge from its key national priorities.
Lodhi said that the defeat of terrorism and militancy as well as the creation of conditions in which violent extremism cannot survive, is first and foremost to establish durable stability.
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