Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address at the international conference titled “The Challenges to World Peace Today”, held in Venice. The event brought together esteemed religious, political, and academic leaders from across Europe and Pakistan, including the Archbishops of Venice, Treviso, Vicenza, and Piacenza, alongside members of Parliament, civic authorities, and representatives from global peace organizations.
Co-convened by renowned peace advocate Dr. Paul Bhatti, the conference aimed to foster dialogue and collective action in a world increasingly fractured by conflict, injustice, and intolerance.
In his address, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani paid tribute to the legacy of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s former Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, calling him a global symbol of courage and martyrdom. “His loss was not just Pakistan’s but a blow to the global conscience,” Gilani said, linking his sacrifice to the broader legacy of the Pakistan People’s Party and its enduring commitment to justice and equality.
Reflecting on the global climate, Gilani warned of the dangers posed by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, South Asia, and Eastern Europe, calling for a renewed international focus on justice, dialogue, and human dignity as the cornerstones of lasting peace. “Peace is not merely the absence of war-it is the presence of justice and the celebration of diversity,” he said.
Drawing from Pakistan’s own experiences with terrorism and regional instability, Gilani shared personal insights-including the kidnapping of his own son by the Taliban-as a sobering reminder of the human cost of violence.
He called upon global powers to act not just out of strategic interest, but from a place of moral clarity, emphasizing that “peace overtures must be reciprocal,” particularly in the context of South Asia and the unresolved Kashmir conflict.
Gilani concluded with a call to action for world leaders, institutions, and communities: “Let this gathering in Venice be remembered not just as another conference, but as a collective vow-a vow to lead, to act, and to protect peace not as an ideal, but as a necessity.”
The event marked a significant moment in Pakistan’s continued advocacy for international peace and interfaith harmony on the global stage.