Uniting for disarmament

Disarmament has been at heart of UN since resolution of ‘Uniting for Peace’ was adopted in initial days

Pakistan, once again, stood recognised at the world fora as it advocated an institutional approach towards state-centric issues of peace and security. It is no less than a feast that four resolutions proposed by Pakistan were adopted by the UN General Assembly with a thumping vote aimed at advancing nuclear disarmament and bolstering global security measures. It is altogether important to note that in an era of diverse military alliances when extraterritorial powers are involved in South Asia in an attempt to encircle China and weaken Pakistan, Islamabad’s submission that excessive conventional military and misuse of nukes in exigency are a threat to regional peace speaks high of its vision for a secured future.

Disarmament has been at the heart of the UN since the resolution of ‘Uniting for Peace’ was adopted in its initial days of its inception. This is why Islamabad had been forthcoming on any of the measures that campaigned for neutrality, stability and consistency in furthering the goals and objectives of peace-building. Being part of Blue Helmets and endorsing fine points of International Law for achieving self-determination and sovereign rights of the dispossessed is a stated policy, too. Thus, these resolutions marked Pakistan’s psyche for peace in fostering regional and global stability at a time when the world is engulfed in two wars, and sits on the brink of escalation of conflicts at many of the bilateral levels, especially in the Middle East.

Pakistan’s resolutions on ‘Regional Disarmament’ and ‘Confidence-building Measures in the Regional and Sub-regional Context’ were an indicator that it stands for a negotiated settlement of disputes, and does not believe in flaming the hot air by virtue of an arms race. It goes without saying that South Asia is a theatre for conventional arms race, and India’s obsession to browbeat China and intimidate Pakistan has pushed it in a nexus of militarism with AKUS and Indo-Pacific alignment with the US. This is why apparently Delhi’s was the solitary vote against Pakistan-sponsored disarmament pleas, and is an unfortunate happening.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2023.

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