Author: Amanat Ali
Peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice. It is no secret that peace and justice cannot exist without each other. The relationship between them is deeply analogous to that of the body and the soul; just as the soul animates the physical body and dictates its vitality, justice determines the actual state and endurance of peace. In other words, justice serves as the indispensable prerequisite of true peace. According to the classical philosopher Plato, “most of the evils of conflict are the result of the absence of justice”. Similarly, systemic bad governance and a persistent lack of the rule of law preclude the very existence of lasting peace within any society. When implemented effectively, justice actively fosters equality, tolerance, and patience among people, and the presence of these core elements stands as a universal symbol of harmony.To observe this dynamic in practical terms, one can look at regional examples; for instance, the lack of rule of law in Afghanistan leads directly to severe systemic inequalities and widespread gender-based violations. Furthermore, the troubling rise in terrorism across both Afghanistan and Pakistan is fundamentally an outcome of this pervasive lack of justice. True peace is ultimately the greatest product of justice, functioning as a vital mechanism that bridges deep societal divides and instills lasting harmony.Examining theoretical frameworks, the pragmatic theory of justice suggests that justice is born from fear and is fundamentally founded upon the urgent needs of the weak. Therefore, justice is rarely maintained in the direct interest of the strong; rather, it remains an essential necessity for the survival and protection of the weak. While powerful entities often fail to support true justice, the resulting vacuum and lack of fairness pave the direct way for grinding poverty, which in turn gives birth to widespread social unrest. Hence, Plato firmly believed that most of the deep-seated evils plaguing human society could be effectively countered only by strictly enforcing justice. Ultimately, after weighing these philosophical, structural, and real-world dimensions, it remains undeniably true that peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the absolute presence of justice.