The incident of 9/11 has changed the whole scenario of the world, US declares its War against Terror and Pakistan became a frontline state of the US-led war against terror. Due to the US war in Afghanistan, Pakistan has suffered so much more than any country in the region. Its 80,000 people lost their lives and faced about 150 billion dollars in economic loss. Despite the huge sacrifices and heavy loss, the US and the West always demanded “Do More”, while Pakistan became under attack from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terror groups. On the other side, the US has carried out drone strikes inside Pakistan from 2004 to 2018 which killed hundreds of innocent civilians.
After two decades of war, When the US realized that they could not win the war in Afghanistan, the US had requested Pakistan to bring the Taliban to negotiating table. By using its influence Pakistan had arranged direct talks between the Taliban and US in December 2018, which paved the way for the 2020 peace deal. Under that deal, the US and its NATO allies pulled out their troops from Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistan has made every effort not only to bring peace to Afghanistan but also to support negotiated settlement to end the two-decades-long conflict in the country. Pakistan always said peace in Afghanistan will bring peace to Pakistan.
Pakistan wants economic development, trade, and connectivity in Central Asian countries to boost its economy through, China’s Pakistan Economic Corridor which will be a game-changer not for the region but for the entire world. Pakistan always urged Afghanistan not to allow its territory to be used against Pakistan. Although After the Taliban take over in Kabul the terrorist attacks in Pakistan increased by TTP, BLA, and other fractions. The multiple-time fence disruption by the Taliban on Pak-Afghan international border has created anger in Pakistan but Pakistan shows calm and patience because Pakistan does not want to disrupt the peace effort in Afghanistan. On the other hand, Pakistan is demanding the world recognize the Taliban government and provide economic assistance to Afghanistan to save the catastrophic situation in Afghanistan. It’s Pakistan’s effort to strengthen bilateral relations with the Taliban government and to continue peace efforts in Afghanistan. In December 2021, Pakistan hosted a one-day OIC meeting on Afghanistan to seek world support for Afghanistan, in which special representatives from China, the US, Russia, the UN undersecretary-general as well as the president of the Islamic Development Bank participated in it. Pakistan always stresses the importance of promoting economic connectivity and regional trade which is the main key to bringing peace and security in the region, especially in Afghanistan.
During the cold war era, Pakistan was in US block and Pakistan’s relations with Russia were not as good. Now Pakistan has tried to rebuild its relations with Russia on a high level. Pak PM has visited Russia to strengthen relations with Russia. The passing of Pakistan’s new National security Policy is clearly focusing on strengthening ties with Russia. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the west has pressurized Pakistan to condemn Russia but Pakistan did not take any side and hoped that “diplomacy could avert the Military conflict”. Pakistan is in support of a peaceful and negotiated settlement in Ukraine. Pakistan also offered mediation between Russia and Ukraine. Now, Pakistan does not want to indulge in other conflicts or wars.
Pakistan wants to strengthen its relations with the US, Russia, the west, and the rest of the world with mutual respect and without any harm. The significance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and changing dynamic of the Afghanistan situation paves the way for Pakistan to build its relations with all regional and external powers without joining any block or indulging third country’s conflict. Pakistan categorically said that Pakistan will not become a party to any international conflict, but will become a partner in peace.
Pakistan always wants good, cordial, and peaceful relations with India on mutual respect, as former Prime Minister Imran Khan repeatedly said if India one step comes we will go two steps. But this desire Pakistan could not reach its promises due to India’s aggressive behavior. In 2019 when Pakistan captured Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after shooting down its Mig-21 fighter jet, he was handed over to India as a goodwill gesture and to defuse the tension.
We can see Pakistan’s efforts for peace by this big step taken by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) where people are enjoying a good time, as there has been no ceasefire violation reported since the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India came into effect last year on 25 February 2021. It was seen first time in 18 years that no single bullet was fired along the international border. Both Pakistan and India had committed once again to the 2003, ceasefire arrangement at the Line of Control and agreed to address the ‘core issues’ that “could undermine peace and stability”.
Pakistan’s effort for peace and mediation is not new if we look at the history of Pakistan had played an important role to bring China and US together during the 1970s when US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s visit to China was organized by Pakistan in 1971. During a visit to China at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, former PM Imran Khan had said that “Pakistan wants to play its role to bring China and US together, because “another Cold War” would not benefit anyone”. He said that Pakistan wants to play the role that it had played in the 1970s when it was “instrumental” in bringing the two countries together”.
Pakistan has also tried to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia not only in its previous government but in the present government as well. Former PM Imran Khan said, “Our mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia has not stopped and we are making progress, but slowly”.
Now Pakistan had convened 48 sessions of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers “Partnering for Unity, Justice, peace, security, and Development” on 22-23 March 2022. Pakistan always sees OIC as a platform to bring the Muslim world together, regarding the core issues that currently Muslim Ummah is facing. At this OIC conference, Pakistan demanded support for the peaceful solution to the Kashmir, Palestine, and Afghan humanitarian crises.
Another aspect of the OIC conference was combating the rising threat of ‘Islamophobia’ as this step was taken by Pakistan. Pak former PM Imran Khan took this initiative during his speech at the UN General Assembly session in 2018, leading to the recognition of ‘Islamophobia’ as a form of religious and racial discrimination. Russia and a few other countries have endorsed Pakistan’s efforts and its position. Now United Nations General Assembly declares March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The role of Pakistan’s efforts for peace can be seen through its participation in UN peacekeeping missions abroad. The Pakistan Armed Forces are the third-largest contributor of troops towards UN peacekeeping efforts, behind India and Ethiopia. So far Pakistani soldiers have participated in 60 missions in 28 countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also appreciated the contribution of Pakistan in peacekeeping.
Pakistani forces fought a decade-long war with terrorists and extremists to bring Peace to the country. For the sake of peace, the Pakistan government asked the Taliban government to negotiate with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) under the ambit of Pakistan law, but TTP refused to do so. Although an interim ceasefire was made it was canceled due to their harsh demands.
Pakistan’s efforts and commitment to peace can be examined by Its professional behavior as a nuclear arms state. Pakistan handled the situation very well at the crucial time, when a missile fired, from India into the Pakistani area of Mian Channu on 9, March 2022. Pakistan’s calm, patience, and commitment to peace and stability save the two nuclear arms states from a nuclear flashpoint. Many Indian writers and defense experts appreciated Pakistan’s responsible role after the incident. “Sushant Singh” is an Indian writer who wrote that “Imagine if a missile had fallen on Indian territory and the Pakistani side had claimed “accidental firing”, would the Indian political leadership and jingoistic media have accepted that explanation”?
Pakistan wants peace not only in the country but in the entire world, for bringing peace Pakistan is doing everything, more than its capacity and burden. Now Pakistan is safe, and tourism and international cricket are back in Pakistan. Foreigners can go anywhere and can live fearlessly. Pakistan’s desire for peace does not mean Pakistan’s weakness. It’s the desire which belongs to the millions of people living across the border. Pakistan is the only country which had paid a heavy price for peace more than any country in the world.
