• Abdul Qayyum says veto powers and limited Security Council representation undermine impartiality
• Urges states to uphold international law and UN resolutions
ISLAMABAD: Former senator and PML-N leader retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum has called for restructuring the United Nations, arguing that veto powers and limited representation in the Security Council prevent the world body from functioning impartially.
Speaking at a ceremony hosted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) UK to mark the 14th death anniversary of its co-founder Sun Myung Moon, Gen Qayyum said the UN’s role in peacekeeping, health, education, climate change and refugee issues was commendable, but its effectiveness depended on member states abiding by its Charter and implementing its resolutions.
“This highly important global institution surely needs restructuring because the veto powers with a few influential members and limited representation of various continents and the Muslim bloc in the Security Council do not allow it to function impartially as per democratic norms,” he said, according to a message received here.
The former president of the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) said there were “arms races, undeclared nuclear bombs, political oppressions and worst human rights abuses in many parts of the world, including Palestine and Kashmir”.
Gen Qayyum said “wars and conflicts are as old as the history of mankind” and cited power rivalries, territorial disputes, poverty, inequality, nationalism, racism, religious extremism and disrespect for international laws as major causes.
He advocated “geopolitical realism, global power equilibrium and pragmatic diplomacy” and urged states to refrain from interventions, referring to former US president Richard Nixon’s doctrine of 1969.
“International law and not the superpower might should provide security guarantees to smaller states,” he said, adding that “kinetic power also has limitations, as was proved by Nato’s embarrassment in Afghanistan and US unsuccessful regime-change operations in Iran”.
He noted that “nations can bear economic pains to protect their autonomy”.
Paying tribute to Father Moon, Gen Qayyum said the best way to honour him was to “practically implement his vision”, for which UPF was founded in 2005.
Moon, born in 1920, started the Unification Movement in 1954 and worked for interfaith harmony and church unification. He visited the Soviet Union in 1989 and met North Korean leader Kim Il Sung to push for Korean integration.
Gen Qayyum said the vision of Moon and other leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and Mother Teresa could only be realised through mediation, negotiation and adherence to international law.
He stressed the need to promote fair trade through international waterways, ensure access to energy and mineral resources, foster tolerance and enforce arms control.
Outlining Father Moon’s vision, he listed obeying international law, respecting differences, showing tolerance, promoting dialogue, reducing poverty, promoting education, protecting human rights and encouraging disarmament.
“Above are also the precise objectives of the UN; however, success of this great institution is dependent on the cooperation of its members,” he concluded.
The ceremony was hosted by UPF UK Secretary General Robin Marsh.
Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026
