Today, Pakistan joins the international community in observing the International Day of Living Together in Peace.
This day highlights the importance of building peaceful, harmonious, and united societies at both the national and international levels. At the national level, fostering a social environment that promotes peace is not only part of our visionary heritage but also a constitutional responsibility.
In this context, the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, clearly articulated our national priorities when he stated:"We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in both national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contributions to the promotion of peace and prosperity within and without.”
These principles are the foundation of our proud national identity and continue to guide our national efforts towards creating a more harmonious and united national and global society.
The Government of Pakistan remains firmly committed to take practical measures for the establishment of a peaceful, tolerant, and cohesive society where every citizen, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion, can live with dignity. The Constitution of Pakistan also provides safeguards against all forms of discrimination, including any provincial, ethnic, sectarian, and regional prejudices.
Pakistan is home to diverse languages, cultures, schools of thought, and rich civilizational traditions. This social and cultural diversity is a source of our national strength. Positive national narratives, such as Paigham-e-Pakistan, aim to eliminate ideological and practical extremism while promoting national unity and social harmony.
Alongside Constitutional guarantees for human rights, effective policy and practical interventions remain indispensable. In this regard, the Government has formulated the “National Action Plan on Human Rights,” aimed at women’s empowerment, child protection, and the promotion of the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Implementation of Pakistan’s first “National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights” is also underway to promote responsible business conduct, protection of labour rights, elimination of discrimination, and effective remedies for human rights violations linked to business activities.
These policy measures lay the foundation for a just, inclusive, and equitable society.
Through the “Human Rights Awareness Programme,” the Government is further promoting the values of tolerance, unity, and social cohesion.
Moreover, the Government has played a key role in strengthening institutional mechanisms through the establishment and operationalization of the National Commission for Human Rights. At the provincial level, District Human Rights Committees have also been established to promote social harmony at the grassroots level. These initiatives are being further reinforced through the “National Strategy on Prevention of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence” and the Minority Welfare Fund.
In the same spirit, the Government has introduced important legal reforms aimed at eliminating harmful social practices and violence. These include the “ICT Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2026,” the “ICT Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025,” and the “National Commission for Minority Rights Act 2025,” which has been passed by Parliament, while the Ministry is completing the process for establishing the Commission.
Collectively, these measures reflect the Government of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to building a united, tolerant, and peaceful society where every individual can live with dignity, equality, and mutual respect.
I call upon our youth, religious leaders, and civil society to play their part in promoting the values of tolerance, compassion, and coexistence.
Let us work together to build a Pakistan and a world where harmony and shared prosperity prevail over division and discord.
