Mohsin Iqbal
In the grand tradition of democratic governance, where the elected voices of the people gather in solemn assembly to chart the course of nations, parliament stands as the sacred forum for debate, aspiration, and the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. It is here that the grievances and hopes of ordinary citizens find expression, and the foundations of stability and progress are laid with care and foresight. Across the world, this parliamentary system commands profound respect, serving as a beacon of collective wisdom. Thus, it was that the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, came to lead important peace discussions in the Middle East alongside the United States, demonstrating how legislative voices can bridge divides even in the most delicate matters of statecraft. In like manner, nations have long recognised the value of uniting their parliaments in common cause, and none more so than through the esteemed Inter-Parliamentary Union, that venerable body which provides a global stage for addressing the pressing concerns of our age.
The recently concluded 152nd session in Istanbul, hosted by Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly, offered a telling illustration of both the promise and the limitations of parliamentary diplomacy in an era marked by unresolved conflicts and shifting power dynamics. The assembly’s overarching theme — nurturing hope, safeguarding peace and ensuring justice for future generations — struck a resonant chord amid ongoing global turmoil. Discussions spanned post-conflict governance, the restoration of lasting peace, and the imperative of building a fairer, more sustainable global economy, including measures to curb corporate tax avoidance. These topics underscored a broader recognition that parliaments must move beyond rhetoric to play a more substantive role in bridging divides and shaping multilateral responses.
Yet, as Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq aptly observed in his address, the international system established eight decades ago now stands at a critical inflection point. Persistent wars, forced displacements and selective application of UN Charter principles continue to erode trust in global institutions, highlighting the urgent need for more consistent and inclusive diplomatic mechanisms. Pakistan’s participation reflected a principled yet pragmatic approach to these challenges. Accompanied by Pakistan’s legislators, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq used the forum to articulate Islamabad’s longstanding positions with clarity and conviction.
On Jammu and Kashmir, he reiterated that the disputed territory’s final status must be determined through UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, while criticising unilateral measures and aggressive posturing. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq always speaks with a voice firm in resolve and unwavering in conviction on the question of Kashmir. It is the same Sardar Ayaz Sadiq who, in 2015, declared without hesitation that Pakistan’s principled position on Kashmir outweighed the considerations of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting. With equal clarity, he affirmed that the Speaker of the Assembly of Indian-occupied Kashmir would not be invited to Islamabad.
Speaker Sadiq remarks on the Indus Waters Treaty — describing the decision to hold it in abeyance as irresponsible and a violation of international norms — carried particular weight, given the treaty’s foundational role in regional stability. The weaponisation of shared resources, he warned, risks escalating tensions in an already volatile South Asia.
The Speaker’s intervention on Palestine was equally forthright. Highlighting the staggering human cost — over 71,000 Palestinians killed in the past two years, predominantly women and children — he drew attention to the realities of occupation, dispossession and systemic violence. At the same time, he acknowledged emerging diplomatic pathways, including recent UN initiatives and efforts toward a Gaza peace plan supported by the United States and several Arab and Islamic states, including Pakistan. Islamabad’s consistent stance, he emphasised, remains anchored in the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. These positions align with Pakistan’s broader commitment to the right of self-determination and the peaceful resolution of disputes through multilateral frameworks.
To Be Continued
