The Peace Conference 2025 held at PNCA Islamabad on the International Day of Peace brought together diplomats, policymakers, human rights advocates and civil society to recognise contributions to peace and human dignity. The event, organised by the Human Rights Council of Pakistan under the chairmanship of Jamshed Hussain, opened with a recitation of the Quran, the national anthem and a five-minute documentary on human rights.
In his opening remarks, Jamshed Hussain described peace as the foundation of human dignity and sustainable development, stressing that peace goes beyond the absence of war to include justice, tolerance and inclusive societies. The conference programme included speeches, cultural performances and a high-level panel discussion titled “Pakistan’s role in global peace” that explored the country’s diplomatic and civil society contributions to regional stability.
Former Air Chief Marshal Suhail Aman served as the special guest and presented awards to a diverse group of national and international peace advocates. Recipients honoured on the day included Air Commodore (retd) Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Professor Dr Muhammad Ali, Haji Abdul Razaq Afridi as Ambassador of Peace, Akhtar Ali, newscaster Ishrat Saqib, and Maulana Hidayat Rehman Baloch, among others. Awards for organisations and posthumous honours were also accepted by family members or community representatives.
The panel discussion featured contributions from Mishaal Malik, described as spouse of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik and a former federal minister, former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman, former student leader Muhammad Naveed Anwar and journalist Sadiq Anzar. The debate examined Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement, humanitarian initiatives and the role of civil society in promoting sustainable peace.
In a second round of awards, senior Hurriyat leader Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, H.E. Faisal Butt Ambassador at Large for the Republic of Liberland, Maryam Kiwan and human rights defender Salman Khan were recognised, with several awards received on recipients’ behalf. Young leaders and grassroots activists including Sajid Rahman Usmani and Sajid Ali were acknowledged for their work in youth engagement and international relations.
Special shields were presented in recognition of flood relief services to individuals including Izharuddin, Advocate Jahajeer Khan Salarzai, Ali Rehman Shamlani, Nasir Khan and Mashahid Bangroo. Additional honours went to former Justice Shaukat Ali Siddiqui and others, with some awards accepted by family or institutional representatives.
The programme combined formal addresses with cultural performances and musical segments that underscored the event’s message of dialogue and reconciliation. Speakers included Senator Raja Nasser Abbas Jafri, Professor Dr Muhammad Ali, Syeda Hamna Batool, Javaria Sadiq, Orya Maqbool Jan, Justice (r) Madthir Khalid Abbasi and Maulana Hidayat Rehman Baloch.
The Peace Conference 2025 concluded with a renewed commitment to promote human rights, interfaith dialogue and inclusive development across Pakistan and the region, reaffirming the organisers’ call for sustained civic and diplomatic efforts to advance peace.
