It is now time to restructure the United Nations, abolish the veto power, and delegate decision-making authority to a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. — Altaf Hussain
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Posted on: 4/13/2026
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It is now time to restructure the United Nations, abolish the veto power, and delegate decision-making authority to a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. — Altaf Hussain
#IslamabadTalks
#IslamabadPeaceTalks
The 21-hour-long negotiations between #Iran and the United States, with Pakistan’s mediation, have concluded without any final outcome. We extend our best wishes that any future progress leads to peace, stability, and the welfare of humanity in the Middle East.
History depicts that most states and nations tend to follow the rules set by the powerful. However, independent nations do not compromise on their identity and existence. From a realistic perspective, competition always occurs between equals. In the world of sports, it is a well-established principle that a “lightweight” boxer does not wrestle against a “heavyweight.” In terms of military and economic might, there is a clear disparity between Iran and the United States. Nevertheless, in recent conflicts, Iran has surprised the world with its resistance against a superpower and its allies.
Realism and practicalism demand that we acknowledge the fact that negotiations between the powerful and the weak are never conducted on equal footing. When a “heavyweight” party pressures the other to accept its terms and compels it to abandon its demands, negotiations become nothing more than one-sided dictation. A similar situation appeared to dominate the Iran–US talks.
The United Nations was established in 1945 precisely to eliminate such imbalances of power. The global community pledged that a state irrespective of its size and status, its sovereignty would be protected, and justice would be ensured in cases of aggression. It was agreed that the majority decision in the General Assembly would prevail.
Unfortunately, by granting veto power to the five permanent members of the Security Council, this entire democratic process was effectively taken hostage. Whenever the General Assembly passes a resolution against injustice, a single powerful country can veto it for its own interests. Does not this mean current structure of Security Council exist to weaken nations and make them subordinate to a few powerful states?
From the Second World War to the present day, the United Nations has failed to deliver justice in major conflicts. An institution that cannot provide justice becomes nothing more than a lifeless structure. The bitter reality today is that, in its current form, the
lacks the capacity to provide relief to oppressed nations.
Therefore, the time has come to restructure the United Nations, abolish the unjust privilege of veto power, and transfer decision-making authority to a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly.
Just as a country’s judiciary becomes meaningless if it fails to deliver justice, similarly, if the international community does not establish a system where both the powerful and the weak are treated equally, global peace will remain a dream.
Human nature harbors an immense greed for power and wealth. If this greed is not restrained by rules, regulations, and moral education, it turns into a destructive force that crushes all laws and pursues its interests by disregarding international norms and principles — a cost that everyone ultimately pays. Therefore, all democratic and humanity-loving nations that respect human rights must unite against such forces.
Today, there is a need for people across the world — regardless of religion, belief, or region — to rise above religious and geographical boundaries and unite for equal justice and equality. We must become a global voice against forces that act arbitrarily, a voice that believes solely in the respect for humanity and equality.
Altaf Hussain
Address from the 395th intellectual session on TikTok
12 April 2026
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4/13/2026 12:18:14 PM
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