UNITED NATIONS, Jan 19: Pakistan on Wednesday was elected unanimously to lead the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC ) at a crucial time in the world body's history.

Pakistan was voted in by acclamation following endorsement by the Asian group. After the vote, Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, who assumed the presidency of Ecosoc, said the endorsement by the Asian group of Pakistan's candidacy was "an affirmation of Pakistan's role at the world body".

Pakistan held non-permanent seat in the 15-member UN Security Council for a two-year period and its term ended in December.