Pakistan has been a member of the United Nations since September 1947, just over a month after it was created. It is a charter member of the UN and participates in all UN organisations and specialised agencies. This article explores the UNCIP’s commitment to support the Government of Pakistan while not interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
UNCIP’s failure to engage with political actors in Kashmir
The Security Council’s intervention in the conflict in Kashmir has been ineffective. In its 17 years of existence, it has passed 23 resolutions and appointed various officials to handle the conflict, but the situation remains tense, and the territorial dispute between India and Pakistan remains unresolved. No peace has been restored to the Kashmir Valley, or even the Indian subcontinent.
Human Rights Watch reports that Pakistan has secret detention facilities for Kashmiris. In a recent investigation, the organization interviewed two groups of alleged victims of torture. These individuals allege being held for years without charge or trial. Once released, they are not allowed to return to their homes, and they are often subjected to severe torture. Some of these victims were members of militant groups, while others had no apparent connection to them.
Despite being largely Muslim, the conflict in Kashmir began soon after the state’s independence. The insurgency is now an intractable problem for both sides. The United Nations has a long history of failing to engage with political actors in the region.
If the international community wants to achieve lasting peace in the region, it must do more to prevent further violence. This means increasing pressure on Pakistan to return to civilian rule in the region. Doing so would pave the way for a constitutionally mandated civilian government to resume the Lahore peace process. It would also allow India to initiate the process of political inclusion in Kashmir and identify credible partners in achieving peace.
While successive Pakistani governments have said that Kashmir’s political future must be determined by the people, the conflict continues to destabilize the region. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a viable solution in Kashmir without respect for basic political and civil rights. However, the international community must insist that Pakistan restore its commitment to human rights in Azad Kashmir.
A number of refugees have fled the conflict in Kashmir to Pakistan to escape violence in the region. Although Pakistan welcomed them with fanfare, many of these refugees have been hard-pressed by the harsh conditions and policies imposed by Pakistan in Azad Kashmir. Moreover, many of the refugees are critical of the Pakistani government’s policies in the region. Most of them are secular nationalists who do not share the Pakistani government’s vision of a unified Kashmir under Pakistan.
Its commitment to supporting the Government of Pakistan
The United Nations has a strong commitment to supporting the Government of Pakistan through its work to promote development, implement global commitments around Sustainable Development Goals, and assist the country during humanitarian crises. In 2006, the Government of Pakistan volunteered to become a pilot country for the UN’s Delivering as One (DAO) program, which aims to increase the effectiveness of UN development work in a country by aligning the goals and objectives of the United Nations system with national priorities.
The government of Pakistan has also made efforts to raise awareness among the public about sustainable development. It has created a voluntary Environmental Corps to monitor afforestation programmes and pollution control. It has also established over 3000 Educational Environmental Clubs throughout the country. These clubs act as pressure groups and educate the public on the importance of environmental protection. It is also a member of the UNESCO-UNEP International Environmental Education Programme.
As a developing country, Pakistan has experienced a recurrence of disasters and is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The climate crisis has affected many communities across the country and increased the risk of climate-induced displacement. Moreover, ongoing flooding poses health risks. A comprehensive response must consider the needs of vulnerable communities, as well as climate-sensitive policies and programmes.
The United Nations’ Decade of Action campaign will focus on the SDGs in the next decade. This decade-long effort aims to renew commitment to these goals. The three SDGs include economic growth, decent work, and governance. By 2022, people will have increased knowledge of their rights and better access to effective governance mechanisms.
The National Conservation Strategy for Pakistan was formally adopted on 1 March 1992 and deals with fourteen core issues, including soil management, improving irrigation efficiency, protecting watersheds, supporting plantations, conserving biodiversity, and managing pollution. It also aims to integrate population and environment programmes. It also includes preserving cultural heritage.
In addition to UNICEF, the United Nations has several other programs and initiatives to support the Government of Pakistan. UN Women provides technical advisory assistance and supports efforts to address women’s empowerment and gender equality. It also supports the government’s efforts to implement national and international commitments on gender equality. The World Health Organization’s Representative’s Office also supports the Government of Pakistan’s health authorities. This office strengthens health services, addresses public health challenges, and promotes health research.
Its lack of consultation with political actors
The lack of consultation with political actors at the United Nations in Pakistan is not only a serious issue, it is also highly detrimental for Pakistan’s future. In the absence of effective mechanisms for consultation, grievances and differences of opinion could erupt and take on a violent form.
