‘Tharoor nomination means India has given up UNSC bid’

United Nations, June 16 : India's decision to nominate Shashi Tharoor for the post of UN Secretary General implies that it has given up its quest for permanent membership of the Security Council, Pakistan has said. Talking to reporters at a briefing organised by the United Nations Correspondents’ Association here, Pakistani Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram said the nomination simply implies that India has given up its bid on a permanent seat in the Security Council.

‘‘It is a tradition that the permanent members of the UNSC or countries aspiring to be its permanent members do not field candidates for the post of the UN Secretary General,’’ he said. Responding to a correspondent’s question on the nomination of Tharoor for top UN post, he said the UN diplomat was welcome to join the race. ‘‘The more the merrier,’’ he said. At the same time he hinted that Pakistan would also field its own candidate for the post of UN Secretary General. The matter has been under consideration for quite some time now, he said, adding that the decision is yet to be taken by Islamabad.