Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Consultant, Advisor, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com).

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted the Pakistan-sponsored flagship resolution on the “Universal Realization of the Right of the People to Self-determination”. Adopted by consensus, the resolution was supported and co-sponsored by a large number of countries from different regions around the world.

The right of peoples to self-determination is a core principle of International Law, enshrined in Article 1 of the UN Charter and the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The resolution reaffirmed unequivocal support for realization of the right to self-determination for peoples living under foreign occupation, colonial domination, and subjugation. It vehemently opposes acts of foreign occupation, intervention and aggression and calls upon responsible States to immediately cease such acts. The resolution also underscores that the universal realization of the right of all peoples to self-determination, including those under colonial, foreign and alien domination, is a fundamental condition for the effective guarantee and observance of human rights and for the preservation and promotion of these rights.

Pakistan has sponsored this flagship resolution for over four decades. This annual initiative provides a message of hope to peoples living in internationally recognized situations of foreign occupation, including in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and in Occupied Palestine, who are being denied their inalienable right to self-determination.

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted by consensus a resolution presented by Pakistan and the Philippines on the “Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace”.

Initiated in 2004, the Pakistan-Philippines sponsored resolution seeks to foster interreligious and intercultural dialogue in promoting, understanding and cultivating a culture of peace. It stresses that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it, special responsibilities. The resolution also underlines the significance and respect for “religious symbols”; reaffirms that violence is never a justifiable or acceptable response to acts of intolerance; and that “violence should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group”.

The unanimous adoption of the resolution by the General Assembly is particularly significant in view of the alarming rise in religious intolerance and racism, particularly Islamophobia, across the globe. It also sends a message of international solidarity and cooperation.

Pakistan will continue to lead efforts to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace and the values of peaceful co-existence and inter-faith and cultural harmony.

Pakistan is an active member of International community. With a population of around 250 Million, and a nuclear power, understands its global obligations and contributing its due share in maintain peace, stability and harmony among the nations. It always stands for the oppressed nations and raise its voce for justice, protection of human rights and equality. Its role in the UN peace keeping force is admired and acknowledged. It is a peace-loving nation and promotes peace globally. Despite of its constraints, it always extend humanitarian assistance to any nation facing natural disasters. 

It stands against any discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, or region. It supports South-South cooperation, and cooperation with all initiatives by any other nation, aiming peace and developments of human kind anywhere in the world.

It real assets are its youth which consist around 70% of the entire population under the age of 40. Abundance of natural resources and excellent climate has made its destinations for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. 

However, is a victim of menace of global terrorism, and struggling hard to eliminate it’s completely. Its geopolitical strategic location has tempted superpowers attention and sometime become victim of geopolitics, but is one of the most resilience nation and can survive under any circumstance. It has been passing through many ups and downs, but, never lost hope and revive soon. 

It is partner with all nation in their endeavor of peace and developments, and extends hands of friendships and cooperation. Its future is bright and its global contribution will be even more significant. Join hands with Pakistan is serving the great cause of humankind in socio-economic developments, over-coming the natural disasters, Climate change and eradication of poverty from the globe.  

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)