ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that peace, security and development are inseparable pillars of progress, as “without peace and security, no nation can build and without development, peace remains fragile.”

These views were expressed by the Senate chairman while delivering his address at the inaugural session of the two-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference here on Tuesday.

The conference, which has brought together parliamentary leaders from across the world under the theme “Peace, Security and Development” was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Welcoming the delegates on behalf of the Parliament and the people of Pakistan, the Senate chairman said he was privileged to host this historic gathering in the nation’s capital. He expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for attending the event, terming his presence a reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and multilateralism.

Mr Gilani described the conference a defining moment in the evolution of parliamentary diplomacy, uniting parliaments from both the Global North and the Global South under one roof to deliberate on shared challenges and collective solutions.

Highlighting the contemporary global context, he noted that the world today faced unprecedented instability driven by wars, economic shocks, climate change, and rapid technological disruptions.

“Peace is unravelling before us — from Gaza to Sudan to Occupied Kashmir,” he said, adding that in such testing times, parliaments must serve as guiding lights, promoting understanding and cooperation across divides.

He underscored the need for a broader and inclusive understanding of security that encompasses economic and climate resilience, environmental sustainability, food and water security, and digital integrity. Citing Pakistan’s negligible contribution to global emissions yet disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, he termed it “a moral and practical imperative” for parliaments to act collectively before the cost becomes unbearable.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s enduring commitment to global peace and security under the leadership of President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Senate chairman recalled Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the fight against terrorism and its significant participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He noted that despite provocations on Pakistan’s eastern and north-western borders, the country had demonstrated maturity and restraint.

“We have consistently extended the hand of dialogue, for peace is a two-way street that requires reciprocity,” he said.

Mr Gilani emphasised that parliaments were not bystanders in the pursuit of peace and prosperity but “drivers of trust, builders of consensus, and voices of the people when the world grows uncertain”.

Calling for practical outcomes from the conference, he urged the delegates to move beyond promises and share bold, implementable solutions that reflect the diverse experiences of participating nations.

Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference Ek Nath Dhakal expressed profound appreciation to the government and people of Pakistan for hosting the conference in Islamabad.

In his remarks, Mr Dhakal acknowledged the vital role of the Senate of Pakistan in co-hosting the event and fostering meaningful dialogue among participating parliaments.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025