ISLAMABAD, Nov 12: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that peace, security, and development were interconnected pillars of progress, emphasising that “without peace and security, no nation can build, and without development, peace remains fragile.”
He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad, which brought together parliamentary leaders from around the world under the theme “Peace, Security and Development.” The conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Welcoming the delegates, Mr Gilani said it was an honour for Pakistan’s Parliament to host such a historic gathering, calling it a defining moment in parliamentary diplomacy that united the Global North and South to address shared challenges. He thanked the prime minister for attending, terming his presence a reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and multilateralism.
Highlighting the global context of instability, Mr Gilani said conflicts, economic shocks, climate change, and technological disruptions had made the world increasingly fragile. “Peace is unravelling before us — from Gaza to Sudan to Occupied Kashmir,” he said, urging parliaments to act as “guiding lights” for understanding and cooperation.
Gilani noted that despite provocations on Pakistan’s eastern and north-western borders, the country had demonstrated maturity and restraint.https://t.co/zkScjNzPhe
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 12, 2025
He called for an expanded definition of security that includes economic stability, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and digital safety. Despite Pakistan’s minimal contribution to global emissions, he noted, the country remained disproportionately affected by climate change — making collective parliamentary action a “moral and practical imperative.”
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Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace under President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mr Gilani recalled the country’s role as a frontline state against terrorism and a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. He said Pakistan had shown “maturity and restraint” despite provocations along its borders.
Calling on participants to move beyond rhetoric, he urged concrete, cooperative outcomes from the conference to promote trust and development.
Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference Secretary General Ek Nath Dhakal lauded Pakistan’s Parliament for hosting the event and fostering meaningful dialogue among global lawmakers.
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