US Israel new nexus has emerged in the region
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ISLAMABAD - Addressing the opening session of the Six nations conference in Islamabad, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani slammed the United States' recent comments about Pakistan and said Pakistan, "as an independent and sovereign state, is not used to being put on notice by any country."
"The US is ignoring Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terrorism," he said, adding that the United States was putting the blame of its failures in Afghanistan on Pakistan's shoulders.
The US received a befitting response to its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in the UN General Assembly, Rabbani added.
The Senate Chairman said a new nexus among the United States, Israel and India had emerged and the US was trying to promote India as policeman of the region.
He said Pakistan believes in dialogue and friendly relations with its neighbours and unless India talks to Pakistan on the basis of sovereign equality, the dream of peace would remain a mirage.
Speaker National AssemblyAyaz Sadiq said the participants of the conference reject terrorism in every form.
"Non-stateactors have dealt a blow to protection of national borders and sovereignty of nations," he lamented.
He also pointed out that Pakistan has suffered losses of $120 billion due to the menace of terrorism, and over 0.2 million people have lost their lives to terrorism over the past decade.
The Speaker emphasised the need for addressing the root causes of terrorism. He particularly referred to the Middle East problem and the question of right of self-determination of Kashmiri people. He also regretted that the recent decision of the US to move its embassy to Jerusalem would undermine peace in the region.
"Conflict should not come in the way of our progress," Sadiq said, emphasising the need for mutual resolve and cooperation to counter terrorism.
He said it was for the first time that parliamentary heads of six nations had gathered to re-affirm their commitment to shared peace, prosperity and forge new grounds of mutual cooperation.
He said it was a defining moment that chosen representatives of people of these countries were sitting together to reflect aspirations of their people to live side by side in respect, trust and friendship.
The NA speaker pointed out that the six countries are natural allies because of geographical proximity, shared history and cultural affinities. He said China, Russia and Iran are among top nations of the world with largest deposits of natural resources. China and Pakistan alone provide half of the world's cotton. Untapped resources of Afghanistan can make it the richest mining region of the world and the construction industry places Turkey among the top ranking countries in the field.
President Mamnoon Hussain, in his address, said Pakistan was dragged into the war against terrorism following the 9/11 incident.
The head of the state said the unresolved Kashmir dispute has put the entire subcontinent's peace at stake.
The president further said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is near completion and the One Belt One Road initiative would transform regional connectivity.
