Pakistan warns peoples of Bosnia & Herzegovina against divisive rhetoric, urges harmony through dialogue

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) Pakistan has urged the constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina — Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs -- to collectively reject divisive and dangerous narratives, and promote dialogue, trust, harmony and cooperation to build a future together, in peace and shared dignity.

"Lately, the political landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina has undergone rapid changes that do not augur well for the overall political environment in the country, particularly its fragile inter-ethnic balance," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan, told the UN Security Council which debated the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Southeast European country on the Balkan Peninsula.

"Regrettably," he added, "political tensions have continued to affect the governance setup, with institutional paralysis exacerbating the, administrative, legislative and constitutional challenges."

Noting that the security situation in the country remains stable, the Pakistani envoy said that the incessant divisive and inflammatory rhetoric with ethnic and religious undertones, targeting and singling out one constituent people, was a disturbing reality.

Ambassador Asim Ahmad warned the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina against divisive rhetoric, saying that the genocide at Srebrenica did not begin with the first shot or atrocity, rather, “it started with words” casting neighbours and fellow citizens as existential threats.

"Such divisive sentiments must never be allowed to take root, again, and deserve our unequivocal condemnation," he said, while reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We also recognize Bosnia’s right to choose its own partnerships and a path towards integration in regional political and economic organisations as it deems fit.

The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) -- also known as Dayton Agreement-- coupled with the governance architecture, the country’s constitution, and the constitutional and state institutions envisaged under this Agreement, the Pakistani envoy said remain the cornerstone for peace, stability and the well-being and progress of all constituent peoples in the country.

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"We are, therefore, convinced that lasting peace, enduring stability and sustained progress and development of all peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be best achieved by adhering to the fundamental principles enshrined in Dayton Accord."

That Agreement, adopted 30 years ago, ended the armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995, and provided a framework for the country’s two entities — the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, each with its own executive and legislative branches. The two entities are linked by a rotating tripartite inter-ethnic presidency and a legislative branch.

At the outset,Christian Schmidt, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina,said the country is “moving along a narrowing path”. It is one that leads either towards institutional sustainability and consolidation, economic revitalization, the rule of law and democratic governance standards – or towards further stagnation, driven by political obstruction and a gradual deconstruction of State institutions.

“While the overall security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains stable, potentially disruptive tensions remain an issue of concern,” he asserted.

The presence of the European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) remains “both necessary and reassuring”.

As a matter of principle, he said, the Dayton institutions, the Office of the High Representative and EUFOR remain in place. "It is up to the domestic actors to demonstrate political responsibility.”