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Summary Raja Pervez Ashraf has reiterated that Pakistan is determined to tackle challenge of militancy.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Defence Exhibition IDEAS-2012 in Karachi on Wednesday, he said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all of its manifestations.He said the government will not allow the militants to impose their agenda.The prime minister said the world economic centres are shifting to Asia. However‚ peace is vital for regional development and prosperity. He said that Pakistan believes in tolerance.Referring to Pakistans relations with other countries‚ Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf said We have strong and time tested bilateral relations and we are also strengthening cooperation with Malaysia‚ Indonesia‚ and Turkey.Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf contended that Pakistan would have a crucial role in Indias efforts to acquire energy from the Central Asian Republics, saying peace and stability are essential for the socio-economic development of the region.“Indias need for energy and trade with Central Asian Republics is largely dependent on Pakistan,” Ashraf said.“It is a matter of satisfaction that both India and Pakistan are moving forward in the right direction through the composite dialogue framework,” he said.South Asia, which is home to one-fifth of the world population and blessed with immense natural resources, has the “potential to emerge as a leading and potent economic force”, he told a gathering that included diplomats, senior Pakistani and foreign military officials and representatives of armament firms from round the world.PM Ashraf spoke at length on foreign policy issues, including Pakistans ties with the US and China, as well as the challenges confronting his country.In an apparent reference to the strains that have marked ties between Islamabad and Washington since early last year, Mr Ashraf said recent events had “created space for reviewing terms of Pakistan-US engagement and I consider this to be more of an opportunity than a challenge”.On the other hand, Pakistans relations with China were “time tested” and could be further enhanced by focusing on trade and energy sectors, he said.Pakistan could benefit from China in defence collaboration, “offsetting the undeclared technological apartheid”, he said.Pakistan could also benefit from the rise of Turkey and Malaysia as new centres of economic influence, Ashraf said.Recent interaction between Russian and Pakistani authorities were “quite productive and points to eagerness on both sides to deepen our bilateral ties”, he said.There is also great potential for Pakistans relations with Iran, which can be a “source of much needed energy” and a bilateral gas pipeline project will open up a new chapter of deep engagement, PM said.The premier reiterated Pakistans support for an “Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process” in Afghanistan and said Islamabad “is ready to lend any help in this regard”.He further said landlocked Afghanistan depends on Pakistan for trade with the outside world.
