President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to international peace and a strong, effective and inclusive multilateral international system with the United Nations at its core.

In their separate messages on International Day of Peace being observed today (Monday), they said Pakistan supports peaceful settlement of disputes and a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and resolution based on dialogue, diplomacy and collective action.

The President said Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Iran and the United States have been acknowledged internationally.

He said there can be no durable peace where the right of peoples to self-determination is denied and Security Council resolutions remain unimplemented, including in situations of foreign occupation such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan takes pride in its constructive role in advancing regional and international peace.

He called upon all citizens to play their part in combating negative forces such as hatred, intolerance, and discrimination, and promote empathy, dialogue, and respect for others.

He said strengthening a culture of peace is a shared responsibility of government institutions, civil society, religious leaders, teachers, the media, communities, and families alike.