PM calls upon int’l community to address root causes of terrorism
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ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has called upon the international community to address root causes of terrorism, extremism and radicalism for sustainable security and stability of the globe.
He was addressing the closing session of three-day International Counter Terrorism Forum, organized by National Court-Terrorism Authority, in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Prime Minister referred to the cold-blooded killing of seventeen people in Occupied Kashmir and innocent children in Kunduz in Afghanistan and said such incidents breed extremism and radicalism.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi drew attention of the world towards freedom struggle of Kashmiris and said the issue of Kashmir can only be resolved through implementation of UN Security Council resolution.
He said Pakistan does not ask for more than that the international community should accept what is happening in Occupied Kashmir.
He said war is not solution in Afghanistan and the conflict can only be resolved through dialogue among Afghans.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said for the first time Pakistan has started fencing the border to protect our borders and to check terrorism.
He said there are no terror sanctuaries in Pakistan rather people instigating terror in Pakistan are based in Afghanistan.
Referring to the country's counter terrorism efforts, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is leader in the war against terror. He said we won where rest of the world failed.
He said Pakistan defeated the same enemy, on the same terrain and with its own resources. He said the world needs to recognize Pakistan's achievements and sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
He said our armed forces, police, political parties and people contributed in the success in this war.
The Prime Minister said the situation has now changed because of implementation of National Action Plan.
He said today economy of Pakistan is back on track and we were able to implement major initiatives like CPEC.
One minute silence was also observed during the concluding session of the forum in memory of those who laid their lives in the war against terror.
Addressing the Forum, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said our success against the menace of terrorism is helping us realize the vision of a democratic Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister said the whole nation stands united in the fight against terrorism.
He said terrorists are trying to undermine our sovereignty and no country can ignore attacks on its territorial integrity.
Khawaja Asif said our forces have offered unprecedented sacrifices to defend the motherland and they are ready to offer more sacrifices for the country.
He said the nation has an unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism and we will not allow terrorist to become a threat to the country.
The Minister said from operations to reconstruction and rehabilitation, the strategy of the Government has been successful in ensuring long term peace in troubled areas and the global community is well aware of our successes in this regard.
The Foreign Minister expressed concern that terrorist outfits use sanctuaries in our neighbouring countries to plan and conduct attacks against Pakistan.
He hoped that our neighbours will take action against such elements and will not allow their territory to be used against Pakistan.
Khawaja Asif said Pakistan's counter terrorism strategy has been most thorough, robust and successful.
He expressed the confidence that democratic Pakistan would attract private investment to augment its economy.
The Minister said in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to have peace, Pakistan wants to live peacefully and maintain friendly relations with immediate neighbours and the world at large.
In his speech, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said terrorism is a global challenge and collaboration is the way forward to defeat this menace.
He said that terrorism cannot be defeated by blame games and without defusing the conflicts. He stressed the need for systematic approach to permanently address the issue.
He said conflict in Afghanistan and the growing conflict in the Occupied Kashmir posses serious challenge to diffuse extremism from the region.
The Interior Minister said India is fomenting conflicts in the region and the international community will have to intervene to play its due role in resolving the conflicts.
On the economic front, the Interior Minister said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and other initiatives for regional communication will make Pakistan a hub of trade and other financial activities which will greatly contribute towards the development of the country.
One minute silence was also observed during the concluding session of the forum in memory of those who laid their lives in the war against terror. APP/AFP
