Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has underscored that peace is an indispensable prerequisite for the survival, progress, and well-being of humanity. He emphasized that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue, tolerance, justice, and cooperation, as force and coercion can never bring true harmony or tranquility.
Highlighting the theme of this year's International Day of Peace 2025 - 'Act Now for Peace' - the Acting President termed it a timely and urgent call. He urged world leaders to prioritize negotiations, mutual respect, and diplomacy over conflicts and hostilities. He stressed that peace is not merely the absence of war, but rather a state founded on justice, equality, respect for human rights, and social harmony.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani recalled that Pakistan has always upheld and advanced the message of the United Nations on peace and justice. In this regard, he noted that the country's Parliament has recently passed resolutions strongly condemning Israeli aggression and war crimes in Palestine, while reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering support for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination. He further stated that India's revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A was a blatant attempt to strip the Kashmiri people of their unique identity - a move Pakistan will never accept.
The Acting President strongly denounced Israel's recent aggression against Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and other countries, describing it as unjustified and a flagrant violation of international law. He condemned the mass killings of Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children, the blockade of humanitarian aid, and the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, calling these acts the worst forms of human rights violations. He urged the international community to take immediate action to halt such atrocities.
Reaffirming Pakistan's principled stance, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani vowed that the country will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Palestine and Kashmir in their legitimate struggles for freedom and self-determination. He emphasized that the establishment of lasting global peace requires strict adherence to international treaties and the full implementation of the UN Security Council's resolutions.
'Peace is a collective responsibility that must be embraced at every level,' Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani said. He urged the global community to unite and take effective measures for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the protection of human rights. He concluded by expressing hope for a future based on tolerance, solidarity, justice, and prosperity.