UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Thursday extended the 2014 sanctions regime on Yemen for another year, renewing measures aimed at curbing actions that threaten the country’s stability, with Pakistan voting in favour.
The Council adopted the United Kingdom’s draft resolution with 13 votes in support, while China and Russia abstained. The mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Yemen Sanctions Committee was also renewed until 15 December 2026.
The sanctions system, introduced in 2014, targets individuals and groups accused of undermining Yemen’s political transition and contributing to the conflict that escalated after the Houthi takeover of Sana’a.
Explaining Pakistan’s vote, delegate Gul Qaiser Sarwani said Islamabad backed the resolution to reinforce the work of the 2014 Committee. He underlined the need for accountability for those destabilising Yemen and stressed that the Panel of Experts must act strictly within its mandated parameters.
Sarwani reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on all parties to engage constructively with the UN-led process to reach an inclusive political settlement. He urged restraint across the region, warning against steps that could heighten tensions in the Red Sea.
He also condemned the continued detention of UN personnel, humanitarian workers, and diplomatic staff by the Houthis, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Sarwani concluded by reiterating Pakistan’s backing for efforts to restore peace and ease the humanitarian crisis facing millions of Yemenis.
