The
Federal Minister of Interior, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, addressed a gathering of
students, academicians, think tank analysts, and media persons at an exclusive
event organized by the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced
International Studies in Washington, DC today and hosted by Vali Nasr, author
and dean of the School, says a press release received from Washington here
today. Speaking on “Pakistan’s Efforts
in Internal and Regional Security”, the Minister covered a wide range of areas
from Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations, which had resulted in a marked
decline in the incidence of terrorist incidents in the country, to Pakistan’s
role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Minister Iqbal briefed the audience about the
National Action Plan, the 20-point program developed by the Government of
Pakistan to counter terrorism and extremism. The implementation of the Plan, in
conjunction with the sweeping counter-terrorism operations undertaken by the
country’s security forces, had been critical to improving the security
situation in Pakistan, the Minister said. This was now paying dividends in the
form of rising investor interest in Pakistan, including from corporate America.
The Minister said Pakistan shared the international
community’s concerns about the instability in Afghanistan, which continued to
spill over into Pakistan. He said that Pakistan desired peace in Afghanistan
and would thus support any effort to effect political reconciliation in
Afghanistan, which was the only viable path towards obtaining lasting peace in
the region. The Minister said that blaming Pakistan for the security failures
in Afghanistan was unhelpful as well as offensive to the people of Pakistan,
whose sacrifices in the fight against terrorism were without parallel in the
region. The Government has an economic vision for the country, which is based
on peace and stability paradigm.
Turning briefly to the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC), Minister Iqbal, who is also the Minister for Planning,
Development and Reforms, said CPEC was envisioned as a regional connectivity
project by Pakistan and China. CPEC would not only radically overhaul
Pakistan’s transport and energy infrastructure, but it would act as a catalyst
for regional integration. It should thus be welcomed by all countries that
desire to see stability and prosperity in South Asia. The Interior Minister
reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work with the United States as a partner for
achieving peace and security in the region and urged that seeing the region
from the prism of third country will compound the situation for anyone.
Pakistan desires a broader and comprehensive partnership with the United States,
beyond security and particularly in the education sector.
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