Pakistan cannot afford clash with other countries : Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

Lahore : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday highlighting the importance of sustainable peace and development in the region, said the resolution of issues with other countries through peaceful means was need of the hour. “We cannot afford clash [with other countries], lest our ongoing economic and social progress will come to a halt,” the Prime Minister said in his address to the country’s ambassadors here at the three-day Envoys Conference.

He, however, said the country’s efforts for maintaining peace on the basis of mutual respect and balance should not be considered as its weakness. “We believe in respect for each other’s solidarity,independence and non-interference,” he said, adding that Pakistan was in favour of global peace.

The Prime Minister, who presided over the concluding session of the conference, said today’s Pakistan was far more peaceful,prosperous and stable as compared to that in 2013.He said with much satisfaction, the case of Pakistan could be presented before the world as a country with strong economic prospects and safe investment-friendly environment.

He said a nation could get isolated at international level if devoid of coherence with regional and international character. “Besides safeguarding our values, we also have to keep in view of benefitting from international trends,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif said today Pakistan was confronting challenges at several fronts, particularly terrorism and extremism. He mentioned that National Action Plan and Operation Zarb-e-Azb were contributing to maintaining law and order in the country and lauded the sacrifices of army, police, Rangers and law enforcement agencies.”Terrorism has almost been eliminated from the country’s soil while a comprehensive policy is being devised to end extremism,” he added.

The Prime Minister termed support to the Kashmiris’ demand to self-determination in accordance with the resolutions of United Nations Security Council the “cornerstone” of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said the indigenous movement of Kashmiris for their freedom was rejuvenated with the sacrifices rendered by the young generation.”You have to convince the world that Kashmir is not the internal affair of India. The UN has regarded it as a disputed matter between Pakistan and India,” he told the ambassadors.

He urged the envoys to highlight the human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir.

The Prime Minister said relations with China had gained more importance with the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was an economic game-changer for the region.

The CPEC would also benefit Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia, and would result in regional prosperity, he added.

He said Pakistan would continue to make efforts for Afghanistan’s stability and peace. “The world must know that Pakistan will never allow its soil to be used by terrorists against any other country,” he said.

The Prime Minister asked the ambassadors to use their offices in promoting Pakistan’s positive image abroad. “Introducing the green passport as a symbol of respect and honour will be your real success,” he said and expressed the confidence that they would consider their responsibilities as a sacred mission.

The envoys, who attended the conference, included Jalil Abbas Jilani (Washington), Masood Khalid (Beijing), Abdul Basit (New Delhi), Dr Maleeha Lodhi (United Nations, New York),Ayesha Riyaz (Vienna), Naghmana Hashmi (Brussels/European Union),Abrar Hussain (Afghanistan), Tehmina Janjua (UN/Geneva) and Qazi Khalilullah (Moscow).

Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Prime Minister’s Advisor’s on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi senior officials of the Foreign Ministry also attended the moot.

Meanwhile ; Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is a flagship project of great significance for both the countries as well as for the whole region.

The earliest realization of this Gas Pipeline project would advance the shared goals of energy security and regional prosperity, he said.

The Prime Minister said “Apart from helping Pakistan in the fulfillment of its gas requirements, the project will integrate the region economically and politically.”

The Prime Minister was talking to Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Mrs. Akja Nurberdiyeva who along with a delegation called on him at the PM House, said a press release.

Prime Minister Sharif said that frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations would prove enormously beneficial for strengthening of democracy in the two brotherly countries. He further said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoyed friendly relations, but there were huge opportunities to further expand the scope of bilateral relationship, especially the economic ties. “We wish to see close collaboration between our parliamentarians, parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship groups. I convey my warmest congratulations to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and the brotherly people of Turkmenistan on the occasion of 25th anniversary of your country’s independence,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also conveyed his utmost regards to the President for his good wishes.

Akja Nurberdiyeva thanked the Prime Minister for extending warm welcome to the visiting delegation in Pakistan. “Let me convey the most sincere wishes and congratulations of the President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow on your successful surgery”, the press release quoted the Chairperson as saying.

She further said the President was personally supervising each project to ensure quality and timely completion.

Tachmuhammet Gulamuhmmededov, Deputy Minister of Energy Turkmenistan, informed the participants of the meeting that the TAPI gas pipeline project would be completed and made operational by December 2019.

He further added that 15km pipeline had already been laid while geological and technical work was currently underway for another 80km pipeline.

The visiting delegation also included Maksat Babayev, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Atadjan N. Movlamov, Ambassador to Pakistan and other parliamentarians.

The meeting was also attended by Sardar Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly, Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs, Shakila Luqman MNA and other senior officials.