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PM Shaukat Aziz calls for US, NATO collective efforts for eradication of Afghan terror network |
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CHENGDU: Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz has said that Afghanistan was the hub of terrorism and drugs and the US, NATO and other countries would have to make collective efforts for its eradication.
Addressing the Sichuan University students here in the Chinese city on Pakistan`s Perspective on Contemporary Issues of Peace, Security and Development on Friday, Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz said that the acquiring of nuclear civil technology was everybody`s rights and all the countries should get the opportunity for this.
The prime minister said that Pakistan didn`t initiate nuclear weapons` race in South Asia instead Pakistan went for a nuclear test, following the nuclear blasts conducted by India at Pokhran.
He said that Pakistan stands by maintaining a minimum nuclear deterrent.
He was of the view that the contemporary international scenario is marked by fluidity and turbulence. There are great challenges, and promising opportunities.
He underlined that the end of the cold war did not yield the anticipated peace dividend. Instead, the world witnessed renewed conflict, among and within States. Global peace and security face new threats caused by new regional disputes, ethnic cleansing, terrorism and xenophobia. The world economic order remains inequitable. While globalization increased inter-connectedness, it also accentuated the vulnerabilities of the weak. The threats of terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental degradation, and transitional crime acquired new, dangerous proportions. The prophets of doom began predicting a clash of civilizations.
He stressed these threats and challenges affect all nations. No single country or a group of nations alone can address and resolve these threats to international peace and security. Common threats and challenges call for collective responses.
"Pakistan views the current international scenario with a mix of concern and hope. We are a nation of 160 million people, rich in human and natural resources, situated at the confluence of South and Central Asia and the Middle East. By virtue of geography, Pakistan is destined to play a pivotal role in our part of the world. Our geo-strategic environment is currently marked by turmoil on the one hand and vast untapped economic potential on the other. Peace and stability are the indispensable conditions for our continued economic growth and national development", he observed.
He said that principles of independence, territorial integrity, non-interference, and sovereign equality must remain immutable.
He was of the view that Globalization in the most distinctive feature of our times. It is impacting the economy, politics, security, power structure, and culture in unprecedented ways. Globalization has turned the world into a global village due to increased interconnectedness. The revolution in information technology has opened vast avenues for cooperation for the benefit of humanity.
At the same time, it has deepened the possibilities of hegemony of stronger actors and marginalization of the weaker ones. Globalization has enhanced the prospects of prosperity; yet it has accentuated the possibilities of discontent.
It is important to learn to ride the tide of globalization. At the minimum, this would require a renewed emphasis on indivisibility of security, level playing economic fields, a responsible media, and respect for cultural diversities. We believe it is essential to make globalization a force only for the good. We believe it is possible to make this happen through our collective efforts.
He said that Terrorism poses the most formidable threat to our world today. It is a danger with global reach. Terrorists are the agents of chaos and seek to instill fear, uncertainty and prejudice in societies. They undermine progress and hold hostage the future of our societies. Terrorism must be fought resolutely, in all its forms and manifestations. The global response must be robust, but multi-dimensional. Military means provide only part of the answer.
"Pakistan is playing a key role in the international struggle against terrorism. Our resolve to fight terrorism is firm and consistent with our own national interest. We believe an effective counter-terrorism strategy must be comprehensive - including military, political, economic and social dimensions", PM said.
He said that it is equally important to recognize and address the root causes, as terrorism does not take place in a vacuum. The conditions of poverty, deprivation, under-development, and long-standing disputes resulting in desperation and hopelessness need to be resolved for sustainable success.
"Terrorism must not be linked with any particular religion. Its history is as much Asian and Middle Eastern as European and Latin American. Muslim societies resent smear campaigns to link terrorism with the noble faith of Islam. People of goodwill in all faiths must come forward to refute this travesty" PM said.
He highlighted that President Musharraf has enunciated the concept of "Enlightened Moderation, that emphasizes internal reform in the Muslim world and Western role in resolving long-standing political disputes. We are convinced that inter-faith dialogue and cooperation among religions and cultures must be promoted as a contemporary imperative.
"Pakistan fully recognizes that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is an equally serious threat to international peace and security. Pakistan supports the global non-proliferation objectives", PM said.
Within the South Asian context, it is a well-known fact that Pakistan was not responsible for nuclear proliferation. Our nuclear tests in 1998 were in response to the Indian tests and were aimed at restoring the strategic balance in the region. Pakistan`s policy now centers on maintaining a minimum credible nuclear deterrent and the establishment of a Strategic Restraint Regime between India and Pakistan.
The two countries have recently signed an agreement on `Reducing the Risk from Accidents relating to Nuclear Weapons.`
He said that Pakistan favors non-discriminatory criteria-based approach, which will offer equal opportunities to both Pakistan and India to access civilian nuclear technology by meeting the relevant benchmarks hoping that the NSG countries will adopt an objective criteria based approach in this respect. There should be a level playing field for access to civilian nuclear technology.
Pakistan welcomes the agreement reached during the six-party talks to resolve the Korean nuclear issue. We greatly appreciate China`s important role in addressing this problem.
We hope that the Iranian nuclear issue would also be handled with caution. Pakistan favors a peaceful, negotiated solution. We are opposed to the use of force, which would further destabilize an already volatile part of the world.
At the regional level, Pakistan is actively working to promote an environment of peace and security to reinforce our efforts for national development. We are pursuing far-reaching initiatives for stability and conflict resolution in our neighborhood.
" Our vision to serve as the hub of trade, economic and communications links encompassing South Asia and Central Asia remains contingent upon the success of these endeavors. Pakistan has suffered the most from continuing strife and instability in Afghanistan", he said.
He stressed Unity, peace and stability of Afghanistan are in the vital interest of Pakistan. Therefore, we have supported the Bonn process and the Afghanistan Compact. We played a critical role in facilitating the peaceful conduct of parliamentary and presidential elections in Afghanistan. We are making a vital contribution to Afghanistan`s reconstruction.
He said that we have established about over 900 border posts to check and regulate the movement of people across the 2400 km long border with Afghanistan. We have introduced biometrics at key crossings and are engaged in selective fencing of the border. The refugee camps that serve as possible sanctuaries for the militants are slated for immediate closure. We seek repatriation of the 3 million refugees as soon as possible.
Securing this long and porous border is not the responsibility of Pakistan alone. It is a responsibility also of NATO, ISAF, U.S. and the Afghan government to take effective steps to prevent cross-border flows on the Afghan side. Pakistan will continue to do all it can to strengthen security along the border. Others must also do their full part.
"The Pakistan-Afghanistan border is only one dimension of this complex equation. The real factors of instability lie inside Afghanistan viz., a weak state structure, nexus between narcotics and terrorism, warlords, corruption and inefficiency, and slow pace of reconstruction. Accordingly, a broad based solution is required, he said.
It is essential to adopt a comprehensive approach comprising military, political and economic strands. Peace and stability in Afghanistan will eventually result from national reconciliation and reconstruction that brings about a genuine change in the lives of the people. In our view, a Marshal Plan like approach is needed to bring transformation and ensure stability in Afghanistan.
While throwing light on Pakistan-India, he said disputes and problems have largely defined the security situation in South Asia. Cognizant that economic development needs a peaceful environment, we have pursued the peace process with India with renewed vigor.
He said Pakistan`s approach towards peace and development in South Asia is built around: dialogue for settlement of all disputes including Kashmir; Restraint and Security Balance in South Asia; and cooperation for economic development of the region.
"Pakistan is also actively involved in promoting the processes of regional and sub-regional cooperation in Central, South and East Asia. We want to build concentric circles of cooperation in terms of comprehensive economic partnership, FTAs and greater regional economic integration", he said.
It is important to cultivate a sense of greater Asian neighborhood. Pakistan is seriously pursuing further improvement in its relations with countries in South East Asia and Central Asia. To this end, we are engaging actively with ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
He underlined Pakistan wishes to play a constructive role in promoting security in the Indian Ocean region. As member of the ASEAN Regional Forum, we are engaged in addressing issues of maritime security in the Asia Pacific. We will continue to contribute positively to the Asia-Pacific security construct.
Pakistan is also an important anchor of stability in the Muslim world. We are an active member of the OIC and have close cultural and economic linkage especially with the countries of the Middle East.
Being located in close proximity, the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the festering Palestinian issue deeply impacts on our situation. Recently, we took the initiative of inviting several Muslim countries in support of efforts to address the Palestinian issue, the Iraqi situation and tensions in the region. We believe that success of these efforts is vital for global peace and security.
While referring towards Pak-China relations, he said that he would like to conclude his presentation with a few words about our very special relations with China. These relations are a category apart.
He said Friendship with China is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. It is a strategic imperative that is equally reciprocated. For over half a century, these relations have remained constant and strong, despite changes in the two countries and on the international political landscape. It is based on mutual respect and admiration and common values of our peoples. It is based on principles of peaceful co-existence and good neighborly relations.
"Pakistan firmly believes in "One China" policy and recognizes the People`s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. We support all efforts China is making to achieve national unification and safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity" he said.
"We believe that our friendship and cooperation will only gain in strength, fortified by our common resolve to intensify and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. Increasingly, our areas of cooperation will encompass joint ventures, investments and trade. Further strengthening our economic relations is a major priority for us. We are determined to leverage our natural economic complementarities for the economic well-being and prosperity of our people", he maintained.
He underlined that Sichuan, as one of the vital economic and cultural centers of China and as the centre of China`s Western development strategy, occupies an important position in our efforts to further solidify our strong friendship.
He further added that Pakistan has established a Consulate General in Chengdu stressing that we are confident that the Consulate General will further facilitate a multidimensional and rich interaction between Pakistan and Sichaun.
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