‘Worried’ Qureshi invokes ‘Hanuz Dilli Door Ast’ phrase to wish away India’s UNSC bid

ISLAMABAD - Despite the US endorsement of India’s bid for its permanent seat in the UN Security Council, New Delhi needs to cover a lot of ground before realising its ambition, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini, Qureshi used the Persian phrase ‘Hanuz Dilli Door Ast’ (Delhi is still far away) in response to a question regarding the expansion of the UN Security Council and the US support for the Indian bid, the Dawn reported.

Qureshi used the phrase- originally attributed to Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and about Ghiasuddin Tughlak’s arrogance, who was trying to conquer Delhi but died before fulfilling his ambition- to say that Islamabad was not really concerned about New Delhi strengthening its credentials for a permanent UNSC seat, even though the past few days have seen strong-worded statements from Pakistan Foreign Office and the federal cabinet denouncing the US announcement of support.

Pakistan desired a “comprehensive, democratic and representative” expansion of the Security Council, the foreign minister said.

He also hinted that President Asif Ali Zardari, who left for China on Thursday to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Asian Games, would also discuss the matter with the Chinese leadership.

Pakistan has been opposing the Indian bid on the grounds that India’s elevation to the UNSC will affect regional peace and stability as Delhi is yet to address some of the disputes, including the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan’s confidence about India’s membership not becoming a reality in the immediate future is based on the fact that the Security Council expansion is a long and complicated process, the paper said.

The first step is to get a framework resolution through the General Assembly by a two-third vote, without specifying candidates. The second step would be to name candidates for permanent seats, and finally, ratification by national legislatures of member states will be needed to amend the UN Charter. (ANI)