Peaceful solution, imperative for Afghan issue: Dr Maria Sultan
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LAHORE,(APP): Defence analyst and chairperson of South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University Dr Maria Sultan on Thursday stressed for peaceful solution to the Afghan issue.
Talking to APP in connection with President Donald Trump's new US policy on South Asia and Afghanistan,Dr Maria said that if the US would impose more restrictions on Pakistan or take any adverse action, then the war against terrorism would eventuaaly be affected.
She said that global security paradigm had chnaged tremendously with regard to changes in research, technology, trade and inter-state relations and changing dynamics of security itself across the globe.
"We want effective and immediate US military efforts to eliminate sanctuaries of terrorists and miscreants on the Afghan soil, including those responsible for fomenting terror in Pakistan," she added.
No one has sacrificed more than Pakistan in the war on terror, she said.
To a question about President Trump's new US policy on South Asia and Afghanistan, Dr Maria said that Paksitan's contribution and sacrifices as an ally had not been acknowledged by the US and other world powers.
"Our commitment towards war against terrorism is unmatched.
We have achieved more successes in eliminating terrorism than any other country," she added.
She said that "we are not looking for any material or financial assistance, but mutual trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contribution."
"Pakistan has done a lot towards establishing peace in Afghanistan and it will continue its efforts in this regard, not to appease anyone but in line with its interest and national policy," she added.
Lauding the role of the armed forces, Maria said that Pak Army's contribution to war against terrorists was unparallel.
Pakistan, since its creation, has faced unremitting hostility from its eastern neighbour, she said. India refuses to implement the unanimous resolutions of the
UN Security Council, which mandated a UN-supervised plebiscite to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to freely decide their destiny, she added.
Instead, India has deployed nearly 700,000 troops in Occupied Kashmir to suppress the legitimate struggle of Kashmiris, Dr Maria added. "This is the most intense foreign military occupation in recent history," she said.
Maria Sultan said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the common destiny of the region and it would help improve relations with Russia and Central Asian Republics (CARs).
She said that Gwadar Port would account for 17.7 per cent world trade and completion of CPEC would trigger higher growth rate as compared with India.
Dr Maria said that Pakistan requires an out-of-the-box approach for the changing environment and preparing Pakistan for the future challenges.
