UN Must Be Strengthened, Not Abandoned: Sardar Masood Khan
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2026) Former ambassador to the United States, China and the UN, Sardar Masood Khan, said here Friday that the United Nations must be strengthened through the rule of law and revitalised multilateralism to address contemporary global crises.
Global Conflicts and the Role of UN
Responding to the rapidly evolving conflict in the middle east, Sardar Masood Khan noted the serious regional and global consequences of the widening US-Iran confrontation, as well as the complexities involving the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf region. He emphasised the need for sustained diplomacy alongside security measures.
Khan highlighted the central question regarding the US-Iran conflict: whether it would escalate or a negotiated framework could emerge. He acknowledged public positions from both sides while noting potential room for diplomacy. Direct engagement between them, if realised, would signal sufficient common ground for dialogue.
The continuing conflict, he argued, has imposed significant costs on Iran and the wider region, while also placing military and economic pressures on the United States. The broader implications extend beyond immediate belligerents, affecting Gulf states, energy markets, trade, and regional stability.
UN's Diminishing Role and Potential Reform
Sardar Masood Khan addressed the UN's diminishing role, attributing it partly to financial pressures and the Security Council's inability to effectively respond to major conflicts. He also acknowledged bureaucracy, budgetary management, and efficiency concerns within the UN system but advocated for reform rather than abandonment.
"The United Nations should not be buried; it needs to be strengthened," he stated, emphasizing that the organisation remains a pivotal guardian of international conventions, treaties, and the multilateral system.
He noted Pakistan's recent diplomatic efforts, highlighting successful mediation when larger multilateral mechanisms fail. However, Khan stressed that Pakistan's diplomacy is collaborative, supported by Qatar, Oman, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China.