The Bosnian War (1992-1995) stands as one of the darkest chapters in modern history. While the world turned away, one nation refused to remain silent. When Bosnia needed more than words, Pakistan stepped in—not just with statements, but with action. From military aid to humanitarian efforts, Pakistan became the brother Bosnia never had to ask for.
As Yugoslavia fractured, Croatia and Slovenia secured their independence, but Bosnia’s attempt in 1992 was met with brutal aggression from Serbia. Under Slobodan Milosevic’s command and military leaders like Ratko Mladic, known as the “Butcher of Bosnia,” the Serbian-led Yugoslav army unleashed a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Bosnian Muslim population—massacres, mass rapes, and the forced displacement of millions followed.
The Horror Beyond Words
One of the most infamous atrocities of the war was the Srebrenica massacre, often referred to as the Bosnian Genocide. More than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered in cold blood by Serb forces. Srebrenica, a UN-designated “safe zone,” was abandoned by the very peacekeepers meant to protect it. The Dutch battalion stationed in the area conspired with the Serbs, pressing Bosnian Muslims to surrender their weapons in exchange for false promises of safety. When the Serbs took control of the town, they separated men and children from their families and executed them, throwing their bodies into mass graves.
Women and girls were subjected to horrific sexual violence in mass rape camps, some as young as four years old. Reports from The Guardian detailed how the Serbs deliberately impregnated Bosnian Muslim women and held them captive for nine months to ensure they bore Serbian children. It was genocide by both the sword and the womb. Newsweek and Time magazine reported instances where Serb soldiers carved Orthodox crosses into the faces of their victims before executing them.
Christiane Amanpour of CNN recalled the brutality, describing it as “a medieval war of slaughter, siege, and starvation.” A British newspaper went further, stating: “The war of the 20th century was waged in the style of the Middle Ages.”
The Sarajevo Historical Library, home to invaluable manuscripts dating back to the 16th century, was set ablaze by Serb forces. Over 800 mosques were destroyed in an attempt to erase the Islamic presence in Bosnia. The world watched, silent and indifferent.
A Lone Voice Against Injustice
While global powers turned a blind eye, Pakistan became one of the most vocal critics of Western inaction. Then-President Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari condemned the international community’s failure, asserting, “The Western policy of appeasement of the Serbian aggressors is not going to pay.” Refusing to accept the helplessness of Bosnian Muslims, Pakistan took direct action—ultimately suffering the largest number of human casualties among UN forces in Bosnia.
Pakistan’s Support for Bosnia
Military Aid
Despite the UN arms embargo that effectively crippled Bosnia’s ability to defend itself, Pakistan clandestinely supplied much-needed weaponry, including anti-tank missiles, to Bosnian forces. These weapons played a crucial role in shifting the battlefield dynamics, allowing Bosnian fighters to resist Serbian advances. Intelligence and military coordination efforts were undertaken at the highest levels, ensuring that Bosnian forces received tactical support. Pakistani military advisors provided essential training, helping Bosnian fighters withstand the Serbian onslaught.
Humanitarian Efforts
In addition to supporting Bosnia’s defense, the country extended a helping hand with humanitarian efforts, standing by its people during their darkest hour:
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) airlifted Bosnian refugees to safety.
- A Bosnian village was established to house and support displaced Bosnians.
- Humanitarian icon Abdul Sattar Edhi raised 1 million PKR in a single day to aid Bosnian refugees.
- PAK-BATS (Pakistan Battalion), part of the UN peacekeeping mission, set up a camp for over 50,000 displaced Bosnians in the war-torn country.
- Engineers demined key roads, reopening access to towns Serbia had declared no-go zones.
- A wartime loan of $20 million was provided to Bosnia, later converted into a gift.
Lest We Forget
The genocide in Bosnia is not just a historical event—it is a reminder of the consequences of global apathy. The international community’s failure to intervene exposed the hollow promises of human rights and peacekeeping missions. Serb war criminals, including Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, carried out systematic extermination under the watch of the UN.
We must never forget:
- 100,000+ Bosnian Muslims were slaughtered.
- 60,000 women and girls were raped.
- 1.5 million people were displaced.
- 800+ mosques were destroyed.
International peacekeepers failed to protect Bosnia & now the same is happening in Palestine and Kashmir.
The late UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, an Orthodox Christian, was accused of siding with Serbia, and his inaction remains a stain on the credibility of the UN.
Meanwhile, Serbian forces specifically targeted religious scholars, imams, intellectuals, and businessmen, executing them and dumping their bodies into rivers. When asked about the rationale behind this slaughter, a Serbian commander coldly responded: “Because they don’t eat pork.”
As we remember the 350,000 Bosnian Muslims who suffered, we must pledge to educate future generations and ensure history does not repeat itself.
Though Pakistan stood with Bosnia when the world looked away, we will not forget. We will not forgive. We will not believe in empty slogans of tolerance, coexistence, and human rights.
Pakistan’s Leadership on the Global Stage
With unwavering commitment to global peace and justice, Pakistan spearheaded a UN resolution – a dedication to upholding religious freedom and interfaith harmony, both domestically and internationally. This day serves as a reminder that Islamophobia is not just a Muslim issue—it is a global challenge requiring collective action.
Not just UN, through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other diplomatic channels, Pakistan has consistently advocated for legal frameworks to address anti-Muslim hate speech and systemic discrimination.
Islamophobia Post-9/11: The Social Consequences
The post-9/11 era marked a critical turning point for Muslims around the world. In the wake of the attacks, a climate of fear and suspicion towards Muslims emerged, fueled by the War on Terror. This was not just a political conflict; it was a social and cultural struggle that left lasting scars on Muslim communities, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other parts of the world-branded as terrorist state. in the years that followed, the people of Pakistan, as well as their neighbors in Afghanistan, found themselves in the crosshairs of global prejudice. Both bore the brunt of a global climate of fear and suspicion, and many were left to wonder when the world would once again see them for who they truly were: peaceful people with hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
Muslims were no longer viewed as individuals or citizens, but as representatives of an ideology that had been associated with terrorism and violence. This ideological profiling led to widespread stigmatization. It wasn’t just the dramatic increase in hate crimes or physical violence that caused harm—it was the deep psychological and social isolation that resulted from the stigmatization of an entire faith community.
Also See: The Unforgiving Toll of War: Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s Struggle for Survival
Collective Action Against Islamophobia
While the day emphasizes the need for legal, policy, and diplomatic measures to curb the spread of anti-Muslim rhetoric and to ensure that Muslims are no longer marginalized in their communities. It is a reminder to the world that combating Islamophobia requires a commitment to inclusivity, respect for religious freedoms, and the protection of minorities everywhere.
Taking center stage From the outset, Pakistan has positioned itself as the voice of the Muslim world, raising concerns on international platforms about the dangers of Islamophobic rhetoric and discriminatory policies. It is the responsibility of it must also take concrete steps to address the root causes of Islamophobia and work towards creating a world where all people, regardless of their faith, are treated with dignity and respect.
