Peace and justice   Author: Mohammad Ali Babakhel

The article suggests how the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 16 like Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions is both a noble ideal and a thorny challenge in today’s fractured world. It underlines how violence and insecurity choke the life out of economic growth and tear at the fabric of peace. Examples from Rwanda’s community courts to South Korea’s legal aid networks show how nations have rolled up their sleeves to tackle the justice gap, proving that ingenuity and grassroots engagement can bridge divides. Yet, for countries like Pakistan, still grappling with terrorism, poor rule-of-law rankings, and fragile governance, the gap between policy and practice remains stubbornly wide. Federal commitments, internal security policies, and the revised National Action Plan may look promising on paper, but without provincial buy-in and coordinated action, they risk gathering dust rather than delivering change.

The writer drives home the message that peace and justice aren’t just feel-good slogans but investments in sustainable development. Turning lofty UN commitments into on-the-ground reality demands tailored strategies that acknowledge local contexts, especially in rural and marginalized communities. The path forward lies in cutting red tape, fighting corruption with transparency, empowering women and youth in governance, and tapping into the digital revolution for accountability. The article makes it clear that building strong institutions is not a luxury for developing nations, it is the very foundation on which lasting peace and prosperity stand.

Overview:

The article explores the global and local dimensions of implementing SDG 16, highlighting success stories worldwide while candidly examining Pakistan’s lagging performance in peace, justice, and governance. It stresses the need for coordinated action across federal and provincial levels, customized approaches for vulnerable communities, and a shift in perception that views justice reforms as core to development rather than an optional extra.

NOTES:

The article underscores the significance of SDG 16, the peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions as a core pillar for global stability and sustainable development. It highlights how violence and insecurity undermine peace and economic growth, calling for coordinated global and national action. Key targets under SDG 16 include reducing violence, strengthening judicial systems, fighting corruption, ensuring access to justice, promoting inclusive governance, and protecting human rights through legal frameworks. International examples, such as Rwanda’s community courts, South Korea’s legal aid programs and Argentina’s access-to-justice centres demonstrate how tailored approaches can yield tangible results. In Pakistan’s context, the National Action Plan, National Internal Security Policies, and the 2024 National PVE Policy reflect policy-level commitments, but weak provincial implementation and poor rankings in terrorism impact, rule of law, and human development reveal deep structural gaps. The article stresses the need for locally adapted strategies, rural justice accessibility, transparency via digital tools, anti-corruption bodies, and youth and women’s engagement in governance to achieve lasting peace and institutional strength.

Relevant CSS syllabus or subjects:

• Pakistan Affairs: National Action Plan, internal security policies, governance reforms
• International Relations: UN Sustainable Development Goals, peacebuilding, global cooperation
• Governance and Public Administration: institutional strengthening, anti-corruption measures, legal reforms
• Current Affairs: Pakistan’s global rankings and peace-related challenges

Notes for beginners:

SDG 16 is part of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals aimed at making the world safer, fairer, and more prosperous by 2030. It focuses on reducing violence, ensuring justice for all, and building strong institutions like police, courts, and anti-corruption bodies. For example, Rwanda used community courts to handle genocide crimes, and South Korea set up legal aid services for millions of people. Pakistan has policies like the National Action Plan and the National Internal Security Policy, but struggles persist. In 2025 it ranked 2nd worst in terrorism impact, 129th in rule of law, and 168th in human development. This shows why reforms must reach every corner especially rural areas where courts and police are far away.

Facts and figures:

• UN Sustainable Development Goals adopted: 2015, target year: 2030
• SDG 16 includes: 12 targets and 23 indicators
• Pakistan’s Global Terrorism Index 2025 ranking: 2nd most impacted country
• Rule of Law Index ranking: 129th
• Human Development Index ranking: 168th
• Rwanda’s Gacaca community courts addressed post-genocide justice
• Argentina established 90 access-to-justice centres
• South Korea and Sierra Leone legal aid programs assisted millions of cases
• Georgia’s juvenile justice reforms reduced child incarceration and recidivism rates

To sum up, the article tells us that peace, justice, and strong institutions are not decorative words in a UN document but essential pillars for sustainable growth. The choice before nations especially Pakistan is stark, either treat justice reform as an afterthought and remain mired in instability or embrace it as the foundation of a brighter, more secure future.

Difficult words and meanings:

• Prosperity – state of being successful or flourishing; synonyms: wealth, success; antonyms: poverty, failure
• Insecurity – lack of safety or stability; synonyms: instability, uncertainty; antonyms: security, stability
• Recidivism – repeated criminal behavior; synonyms: relapse, backsliding; antonyms: reform, improvement
• Transparency – openness in governance; synonyms: clarity, accountability; antonyms: secrecy, corruption
• Inclination – a tendency or preference; synonyms: disposition, leaning; antonyms: aversion, disinterest
• Incarceration – imprisonment; synonyms: confinement, detention; antonyms: freedom, liberation