Pakistan was re-elected Monday to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the economic arm of the UN, for the third consecutive year, with Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon calling it a "fabulous victory". "It's a fabulous victory for Pakistan. It reflects the prestige Pakistan enjoys in the international community," the top Pakistani diplomat told APP after Pakistan polled 149 votes in balloting at the 192-member General Assembly.
Pakistan was contesting one of the four Asian seats, for which there were five candidates. Apart from Pakistan, China (150 votes), Qatar (145 votes) and South Korea (150 votes) were also elected. But Bahrain, with 137 votes, lost. "The fact that Pakistan was cleared in the very first round while pitted against some leading Asian countries speaks volumes of the hardwork done by the Pakistan Mission here," Ambassador Haroon said. Pakistan will begin its three-year term on the 54-member Council on 1 January 2011.