Summary Asif called for a unity to deny space to extremists
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday lauded China’s participation in ongoing peace and stability efforts for Afghanistan.
He commended China while addressing the sixth Xiangshan Forum in Beijing.
He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) benefits could be secured only through peace and stability in the region. He termed peace in Afghanistan crucial for peace in neighbouring countries and the region.
Asif called for a unity to deny space to extremists. He said that a comprehensive narrative is needed to counter extremism. He cited human rights violations, outstanding conflicts including Kashmir and Palestine and hollow promises by the world reasons for the disruptions of peace across the globe.
While talking about help that Pakistan extended to it neighbour, he said that the country gave refuge to more than three million Afghan nationals. He said that Pakistan has lost not less than 60,000 lives and billions of dollars.
He hailed Pakistan Army for achieving in tribal areas what the world powers could not achieve in Afghanistan in such a short span of time. He said that the army has been conducting operations on and off since 2003, the latest of which is Zarb-e-Azb.
He called the foreign powers to recognize Pakistan’s efforts for restoration of peace. Pakistan has rejected terrorism in all its possible manisfestations, he added. The government machinery and the military leadership have formed an exemplary consensus over eradication of militant-led organisations.
Asif also highlighted national action plan (NAP) that was devised after militants stormed Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014. He said that the nation stands united for the cause. Asif said that intelligence agencies and law enforcement wings have made efforts to better working equation for effective implementation of NAP.
The federal minister denounced Indian violation of ceasefire at Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary that claimed at least seven lives and injured dozens in the past months. He said that India should have avoided escalation in tensions by maintaining ceasefire at the LoC.
Asif said that China’s efforts to build peaceful ties with neighbours are commendable.
Asif, while talking about Kashmir during his speech said that the international powers should help limit India regarding brutal acts and violence stories must end once for all in the Indian-held Pakistan’s part.
Besides the Defense Minister, several prominent names including Institute of Strategic Studies Chairman Khalid Mehmood, Institute of Regional Studies President Arif Ayub and South Asian Strategic Institute Director Maria Sultan attended the sixth installment of the event.
The forum focused on security cooperation among Asian countries and discussed major international and regional security issues. The forum was cosponsored by China Institute of International Strategic Studies (CIISS) and China Military Science Society (CMSS).
