Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has warned that UN peacekeeping operations are being seriously affected by a growing financial crisis within the organisation.
Speaking at the opening of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations in New York, Ambassador Iftikhar said the deepening liquidity crisis is directly undermining mandate delivery, protection of civilians, deterrence against violence, and the safety of peacekeepers on the ground.
Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned that the United Nations could face an “imminent financial collapse” if member states fail to pay their dues in full and on time. He also called for reforms to current budget rules that require the UN to return unspent funds even when it is struggling with cash shortages.
By the end of 2025, the UN recorded a historic shortfall of 1.57 billion dollars in unpaid contributions. Officials say this gap is threatening global programme delivery and peace operations.
Ambassador Iftikhar described UN peacekeeping as an essential tool for maintaining international peace and security but said it is facing increasing political, operational, and financial pressures. He stressed that collective action by member states is urgently needed.
Highlighting Pakistan’s role, the ambassador noted that the country hosts one of the oldest UN missions, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan. He said Pakistan has been one of the largest and longest-serving troop contributors for more than six decades. Over 250,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in 48 missions across four continents, and 182 have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.
He warned that declining financial commitments and shrinking missions without a clear strategy could weaken the readiness of troop-contributing countries. This includes standby arrangements, rapid deployment capacity, and specialised units needed for complex operations.
Calling for reform, Ambassador Iftikhar said peacekeeping missions must become more agile, focused, and better equipped to handle evolving threats. He emphasized that protection of civilians, ceasefire monitoring, and deterrence against violations remain core responsibilities, and that lack of political progress should not be used as a reason to withdraw missions.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organisation’s cash-flow problem could be resolved if member states fulfill their financial obligations. The financial strain comes at a time when the UN is also facing reduced voluntary funding from some major contributors.
Secretary-General Guterres has launched a reform initiative aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency. He has warned that the UN could run out of cash by July if the current situation continues and has urged changes to budget rules that require returning unspent funds, calling the system unsustainable.
The warning from Pakistan’s envoy adds to growing concerns that without immediate financial support and structural reforms, UN peacekeeping missions could face serious operational challenges worldwide.
