By Uzma Ehtasham
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, underscored on Saturday that the pursuit of lasting peace in South Asia remains impossible without a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Speaking at a press conference reviewing the Foreign Ministry’s annual performance, Dar reiterated Islamabad’s condemnation of India’s continued illegal actions in the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that the issue had once again captured international attention. Highlighting discussions at the United Nations Security Council, Dar drew attention to ongoing human rights violations in the region, insisting that a plebiscite involving the Kashmiri people remains the only legitimate path to a just and lasting settlement.
“The world cannot ignore the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” he said, stressing that the matter is not merely bilateral but of global concern, a litmus test for the credibility of international law. Dar’s remarks extended beyond Kashmir, addressing broader regional concerns, particularly Pakistan’s principled stance on Gaza and the wider Palestinian issue. He underlined that dialogue, regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and the promotion of stability and peace are central pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy, carefully aligned with national interests. At the same time, he clarified Pakistan’s position on Hamas, stating unequivocally that the country would not participate in efforts to disarm the group.
“Our civil and military leadership maintain a consistent and explicit position,” he noted, reflecting a commitment to principled diplomacy even amid complex regional dynamics. The enduring conflicts in Kashmir and Palestine illustrate a sobering reality: global peace cannot be achieved without justice and adherence to international law. Both disputes have remained on the United Nations agenda for more than seventy-five years, yet millions continue to be denied their fundamental rights, often due to the inaction of powerful states and international institutions. These crises are not merely regional; they are a test of the world’s conscience, its commitment to human rights, and the credibility of the global legal order.
Kashmir’s crisis, originating from the partition of the subcontinent and exacerbated by deliberate colonial strategies, remains unresolved despite repeated assurances of a UN-mandated plebiscite. Reports from occupied Kashmir continue to detail extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, demographic engineering, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Despite this, major powers often reduce the conflict to a bilateral dispute, avoiding their responsibilities under international law and leaving the people of Kashmir in a prolonged state of uncertainty and oppression. The Palestinian struggle, similarly, represents one of the most persistent challenges to international justice. Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 on Palestinian land, Palestinians have endured displacement, occupation, and systemic repression.
Gaza remains under blockade, illegal settlements expand across the West Bank, and attempts to alter the status of Jerusalem continue to provoke regional and global tensions. United Nations resolutions support the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, yet entrenched power imbalances and geopolitical interests have thwarted progress. Alarmingly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, despite its mandate, has often been a passive observer rather than an active advocate for the Palestinian people. In this context, Pakistan’s role is particularly significant. Across successive governments and political administrations, the country has maintained a consistent policy of supporting Kashmiri self-determination, condemning violations, and advocating for Palestinian rights.
Pakistan has long championed the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This continuity underscores that these issues are not partisan concerns but foundational pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy, reflecting broad national consensus and public sentiment. Yet the international community continues to face critical questions. How long will global institutions remain silent in the face of clear violations? If UN resolutions are left unimplemented, and international law bends before political power, what credibility can the world order claim? The faith of Kashmiris and Palestinians in the impartiality of global institutions is eroding, and this decline in trust serves no one’s interests.
Sustainable peace, Dar suggested, demands an end to double standards and the prioritization of justice over short-term political expediency. Resolving the Kashmir and Palestinian disputes fairly is not just a moral imperative; it is essential for regional stability and global security. Long-term peace cannot be achieved through selective enforcement of law or through negotiations that ignore the rights of the affected populations. For Pakistan, standing with the oppressed in Kashmir and Palestine is a principle-driven approach, rooted in the nation’s commitment to international law, human rights, and ethical diplomacy. It is a stance that seeks to ensure that justice prevails, even when global powers hesitate.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
