Pakistan secured 156 votes out of a total of 186. Five countries abstained while twenty-five votes were declared invalid. No vote was cast against Pakistan.
Pakistan's re-election to the membership of Unesco Executive Board is being seen as historic because it took fifty more votes than the number of votes it secured during its last election in the year 2007. It is the highest number of votes Pakistan has secured since 1999.
The increase in popularity of Pakistan in Unesco ranks is being seen as an acknowledgement of Pakistan's principled and strong stand on various issues. This year Pakistan was able to secure Arab votes because of its active and effective role on the question of admission of Palestine to the Unesco.
Strong and effective representation of Pakistan by Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, the chairperson of Unesco Programs and External Relations Committee, also played very important role in securing higher position in terms of votes.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Paris also undertook an extensive lobbying campaign before the elections.
