Global crisis can only be resolved by adhering to the principle of peaceful coexistence, which suggests dialogue as the only means to find a long-term solution of even intricate regional and international issues, said Senator LT General Abdul Qayyum HI(M) retired, while speaking on the subject of importance of dialogue in world peace.
The seminar was arranged by a London based tank by the name of “Forum for International Relations Development (FIRD).” The chairman of FIRD, a renowned social activist and philanthropist Mr. Toaha Qureshi MBE frequently holds such seminars to recommend strategies for achieving international peace. General Abdul Qayyum went on to say that unilateralism has been invading the sovereignty of nations with impunity by following the strategy of regime change in violation of international law. We can now unfortunately still confront multilateralism with bloc confrontation which has given birth to new cold and trade wars. The General said, intensified geopolitics and traditional and non-traditional security threats are breeding discontentment among nations. In such a situation dialogue can play a pivotal role in the development of international relations and world peace by fostering understanding trust and corporation among diverse cultures, nations and communities.
Senator Abdul Qayyum further added that history bears testimony to the fact that wars, both conventional and nonconventional solve no issues. In fact, armed conflict only promotes international violence, intensifies human sufferings and miseries to the common people. Quoting examples of First World War, the General said, 15 to 20,000,000 people lost their lives. The situation finally cooled down through dialogue in a beautiful French city called Versailles where a treaty was signed on 28 June 1919 to stop future wars. It was decided to form a league of nations which will serve as forum for dialogue. Its charter consisted of 26 articles. It’s objectives were disarmament, collective security and improvement of global living standards. It unfortunately failed to achieve any objective, due with structural flaws, as superpowers like USA and Soviet Union were not its members. Resultantly, the Second World War was fought with 70 to 80,000,000 people dead and America used atomic bombs against Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Again, the need for a global peace was felt and consequently the UNO came into being, which is now unfortunately failing, due to the same reasons of structural flaws as in league of nations, because the new superpowers also although members of the United Nations, but they enjoy Veto powers to ceasefire in Gaza.
Senator General Abdul Qayyum said, that attacks on Iraq, Syria, Libya Afghanistan by USA/NATO countries, and recently on Pakistan and Iran by India and Israel respectively, are the glaring example of the violation of international law and verdict of the international code of justice. Universal peace, justice and contentment cannot be insured without universal interest, which is only possible when every big or small country is given equal protection to sustain their territorial integrity and protect their political sovereignty. We pray and hope that rogue countries like Israel and India, understand this message that dialogue and not wars can solve our issues. Pakistan’s internal issues presently are political instability, fragile economy and surging events of terrorism, sponsored by India and Israel. The external issues which also affect Pakistan’s national security are fracturing world order intensifying US and China rivalry, and resultant cold and trade wars. With complete erosion of UN authority with total disregard to its resolutions. Geneva and Vienna conventions and scant respect for small and weak countries territorial integrity and political sovereignty and prevalent lawlessness at the global level, the world is unfortunately gradually inching towards Third World War, which may bring nuclear holocaust again. India politically motivated aggressive attacks against Pakistan, including unlawful occupation of Kashmir and weaponization of water is another external threat to our national security which resent uncalled for aggression against Pakistan. India got a bloody nose and is now licking her wounds. The inclusion about regional dominance and balance of power in South Asia, has been totally shattered by an inhumanly Hindutva policies dominated by minorities in over 12 states are pushing India to further confrontation through war threats. We are lucky to have a very professional national army, which is rated amongst the 10 best fighting machines of the world. Pakistan ex-servicemen society, along with its 3.4 million retired soldiers, sailors and airmen fully stand behind our armed forces to meet external challenges. To conclude the General said, Security means absence of threats and since every country in the world has threats of different dimensions, therefore today there is no country barring few which are sovereign in the real sense to resolve their internal issues without external and lawful coercion or even much needed financial help.
We shall therefore have to go back to the Articles of League of Nations drafted approximately over 100 years ago, which talk of disarmament, collective security attack on one state to be considered as an attack on all. An unfortunate thing is to allow still through dialogue is the only way. International peace is not possible without international justice under prevalent international law. Understanding UNO provides a forum in the form where even intricate issues can be solved through interaction. No law permitted India and Israel to attack Pakistan and Iran receptively. Hence it was serious violation of UN charter invading Hitless free world. These countries must be held accountable for the crime they have committed. We are proud of our army due to the towering leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir broke the myth of much touted Indian conventional superiority and redrew clear map of South Asia with priceless engagement in BVR domains and strategic clarity.
