By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated Pakistan’s full support for the UN Charter and its multilateral system and said Pakistan stood ready to collaborate with all the UN member states to achieve a peaceful and prosperous world for all.
In his message on the occasion of the United Nations (UN) Day being observed on October 24 (today), the president said Pakistan joined the international community in commemorating the 79th UN Day.
“The UN Charter embodies our collective determination to uphold international law and peaceful co-existence. It also provides for the development of friendly relations among nations, based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.
Guided by the vision of founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the president said, Pakistan had consistently championed the principles of the UN Charter.
“We have maintained a firm and abiding commitment to multilateralism, with the UN playing a central role for the promotion of international peace and security, sustainable development and human rights for all.
We have also made invaluable contributions to international peace and security, including by serving as a leading military and police contributor to UN peacekeeping operations,” he added.
Despite its remarkable achievements over the past 79 years, President Zardari said, the UN Charter’s vision of universal peace, development and human rights for all was currently under threat by the blatant violations of its principles and purposes – nowhere more egregiously than in Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
The UN remained an indispensable partner in addressing the pressing challenges being faced by the world today, and for shaping a more equitable future for all, he observed.
“We must revitalize the values enshrined in the UN Charter, by prioritizing peace and actively resolving conflicts, as well as by fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of billions around the world,” the president opined.
The United Nations celebrates UN Day in Pakistan to mark 79th anniversary of the UN and its common history with Pakistan.
The United Nations was established with the ratification of the UN Charter on October 24, 1945, says the press release.
Two years later, Pakistan joined the UN, forging a partnership that has spanned almost eight decades. The day, celebrated annually, underscores the guiding principles and purposes of the UN Charter that have shaped global cooperation for nearly 80 years.
The United Nations in Pakistan will host a public, family-oriented event this Saturday, October 26, at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad. The event will highlight the deep historical ties between Pakistan and the UN, celebrating the contributions Pakistan has made to the global institution over the decades.
Pakistan’s involvement in the United Nations has been marked by key contributions from prominent figures such as Begum Shaista Ikramullah and Ahmad Shah Bokhari, who played crucial roles in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supporting the creation of UNICEF. The influence of renowned economist Mahbub ul Haq, who developed the Human Development Index, and Dr. Nafis Sadik, the first woman to head a major UN program, also stand as a testament to Pakistan’s ongoing impact on global governance.
Saturday’s event at PNCA will feature live performances from popular Pakistani artists, including Shae Gill and performers from the Leif Larson Music Center in Hunza. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore UN career prospects at a special booth with advice from UN Human Resources teams. A ‘UN Market Place’ will showcase the work of 23 UN agencies operating in Pakistan, while a special exhibition will explore the shared history of the UN and Pakistan.
Children will be treated to fun activities, food stalls, and giveaways, while selfie corners will be set up to create lasting memories of the celebration. The event is open to the public from 3:00 pm with free entry.
With 24 UN institutions and 266 offices across Pakistan, the UN continues to collaborate with the Government of Pakistan in advancing progress for all citizens. From promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment to enhancing digital transformation and climate action, the UN remains a committed partner to Pakistan’s development.
In September 2024, world leaders gathered in New York to adopt the United Nations’ “Pact for the Future,” a comprehensive roadmap aimed at tackling global challenges, from sustainable development to digital governance. Despite current global challenges, the UN continues to play a unique role in shaping international norms and fostering cooperation.
