President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of peace among nations, highlighting that the world today faces geopolitical tensions and conflicts in various regions, endangering global peace. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also emphasized that the government and people of Pakistan stand alongside the global community in promoting a peaceful, conflict-free world.
The observance of this day is dedicated to fostering peace and reinforcing the ideals of peace, as wars and conflicts bring severe destruction, poverty, and hunger. In the 20th century alone, wars resulted in the deaths of 108 million people. Every year, September 21 serves as a reminder of the pledge to promote peace, urging all of us to contribute at every level to the establishment, building, and promotion of peace worldwide.
Despite these efforts, numerous conflicts remain unresolved due to political ambitions and the personal interests of leaders, much as they were a century ago. Present-day global conflicts hinder progress and development, leading to decades of wars and clashes that cause significant human and financial losses. Some conflicts even threaten new wars in this 21st century.
The Kashmir conflict is a long-standing issue in this region, with its sustainable resolution based on impartial referendums and the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We must not overlook the plight of innocent Palestinians, who bravely face state aggression. Achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires a peaceful resolution of the conflict in line with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Palestinian people. Pakistan makes efforts for peace, but India’s stubbornness and adherence to extremist ideologies obstruct progress.
Meanwhile, the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, leading to a global rise in fuel and food prices. The UN Trade Agency has identified this war as a significant cause of global economic downturns. The seizure of Europe’s largest nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia plant, by Russian forces revived dark memories of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. In Africa, hopes for peace in Sudan and Ethiopia persist, while conflicts continue in Congo and Mali. In the Middle East, the possibility of resolving long-standing conflicts is dwindling. Syria’s devastating civil war has raged for over a decade.
The ongoing war in Yemen has caused immense suffering to its people. In essence, the purpose of the International Day of Peace is to promote acceptance among all nations and uphold the philosophy of acceptance. This day calls for a commitment to non-violence as a demonstration of our dedication to peace. It reiterates the pledge to eliminate differences and foster mutual peace, love, and unity. Pakistan has always played a significant role in peacekeeping efforts worldwide. Pakistan’s armed forces, particularly peacekeeping contingents, have been recognized for their crucial role in restoring peace in various conflict-ridden countries.
Following Congo, Pakistan sent peacekeeping forces to several countries, including New Guinea, Cambodia, Namibia, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Haiti, East Timor, Liberia, Burundi, Darfur, and Bosnia. These contingents symbolized hope and security in these war-torn and most dangerous areas, and their efforts and abilities successfully set them on the path to peace. Today, officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army continue to serve as ambassadors of peace in various African countries, including Central Africa, Sudan, Mali, Darfur, Western Sahara, Cyprus, and Somalia, raising the prestige of Pakistan’s green flag worldwide. The United Nations and other global powers have frequently acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistani peacekeepers, which is a source of pride for Pakistan and its people.
Peace, which carries vast significance and a distinct history, is often misunderstood by many. For them, peace is simply a time or situation without any conflict or war. This understanding is correct to an extent, as the term “peace” derives from the Latin word “PAX,” meaning an agreement to stop a conflict or war between two parties or countries. According to U.S. military history, the absence of war is called peace. From a military perspective, war is fought to achieve peace. However, many individuals and scholars disagree, believing that peace means much more than the absence of war. For instance, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Jawaharlal Nehru, and others believe that true peace encompasses justice, respect for human rights, and personal freedom within a society or state.
Prominent peace and conflict scholar Johan Galtung compares peace to a coin with two sides related to violence and disorder. Evidence of efforts to maintain state peace can be traced back to ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire maintained peace for over two centuries through the “Pax Romana,” or Roman Peace Agreement. Conflicts are not easily resolved, especially those created and perpetuated by third parties whose interests are involved.
Third-party businesses often thrive on such conflicts and will not allow them to be resolved. If a conflict is resolved, the third party suffers losses and may instigate or escalate another conflict to keep their business running. It would be foolish to disrupt an established market. The best approach is to create a situation where the parties involved in the conflict seek reconciliation through the third party, at least one party does so, repeatedly.
A third party will only consider resolving a conflict amicably between parties when it sees the most profit from doing so, or when failure to resolve the conflict poses a significant threat to its business. This is a simple business theory. A fundamental principle of capitalism is to maximize profit in the shortest possible time.
This blind principle of capitalism often dominates. We may resent the developed world for prioritizing profit as its most important goal. Why can’t conflicting parties resolve their disputes on their own? The penalty for failing to do so is often bitter and prolonged. But what can be done when a third party does not allow resolution? When a conflict is resolved, the parties’ losses cease, and the third party’s business declines. Conflict resolution is a comprehensive chapter in the context of international relations.
Does half of the world’s budget get consumed by conflicts? Or even more? How much have civilization, education, and progress helped humans in preventing their hard-earned money and efforts from being wasted on stockpiling weapons? Peace and prosperity are paramount. To understand the value of peace and prosperity, one need only glimpse the destroyed homes in Gaza. Especially after World War II in the 20th century, concerted efforts were made for peace.
Various organizations, most notably the United Nations, were established. In the same year, after the formation of UNESCO, efforts were initiated to educate for peace, which undoubtedly played a significant role in promoting peace worldwide. However, peace education is essential for any society’s development and stability. It not only fosters tolerance among people but also equips them with the ability to view conflicts constructively and find peaceful solutions, ultimately steering society and the nation towards progress and prosperity.