Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani issued a stark warning to global parliamentary leaders on Tuesday, declaring that peace is ‘unravelling before us’ in hotspots from Gaza to Sudan to Occupied Kashmir and urging legislative bodies worldwide to guide their nations through a period of profound uncertainty.
The solemn declaration came as Gilani, alongside Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, inaugurated the landmark Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad. The global summit has convened parliamentary heads under the crucial theme, ‘Peace, Security and Development.’
In his welcoming address, Gilani described the event as a ‘defining milestone’ in the evolution of parliamentary diplomacy, noting that it unites parliaments from both the Global North and South to address common challenges and explore collective solutions. He expressed that the Prime Minister’s attendance as Chief Guest was a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism.
Reflecting on current global instability, the Senate Chairman highlighted that conflicts, economic disruptions, and climate crises are major sources of unpredictability. He stressed that parliaments are not mere “bystanders” but must act as ‘drivers of trust’ and ‘builders of consensus’ when the world grows uncertain.
Gilani called for a broader definition of security that encompasses economic resilience, climate adaptation, environmental protection, and digital safeguarding. Citing Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, he termed collective parliamentary action on the issue ‘a moral and practical imperative.’
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to global stability, he recalled the nation’s frontline role against terrorism and its significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. He noted that despite persistent provocations on its borders, Pakistan had demonstrated ‘maturity and restraint,’ consistently offering dialogue in the pursuit of peace.
The Chairman asserted that his decades of parliamentary experience have reinforced his belief that sustainable progress and security are mutually reinforcing. He urged delegates to produce practical and implementable outcomes from the summit, calling for “bold solutions” that reflect the diverse experiences of participating nations.
Concluding his address, Gilani quoted former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on leadership, expressing hope that the conference would be remembered for its unity, vision, and purposeful partnerships.