ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani President Syed Mamnoon Hussain on Monday has said that his country will continue to support all initiatives aimed at carrying forward the peace process in Afghanistan.
Addressing the launching ceremony of book ‘Afghanistan 2014 The Decision Point’ in Islamabad‚ he stressed that all segments of Afghan society should be part of the solution to reap the fruit of peace.
He said Pakistan stands for a peaceful‚ stable‚ united and prosperous Afghanistan. We have consistently maintained that the solution of Afghanistan lies within Afghanistan and that it must be achieved through an inclusive afghan led and afghan owned reconciliation process.
Mamnoon Hussain pointed out that the year 2014 is indeed a crucial point in the history of Afghanistan and the region. Being the immediate neighbor‚ Pakistan’s security is linked in multiple ways with security in Afghanistan. Since 9/11 Pakistan has incurred enormous human and material losses.
He said Pakistan while being part of the international campaign against terrorism has lost thousands of precious lives while economic losses run in billions of dollars . He said Pakistan still finds itself at the center of the global threat of transnational terrorism and is also shouldering an unprecedented share of responsibility in countering this menace.
Regretting non-recognition of Pakistan’s commitment in the war against terror at the international level‚ Mamnoon Hussain said Pakistan has paid a higher price than Pakistan. There is no parallel to the sacrifices made by the people and the security forces of Pakistan.
Referring to the challenges of peace and stability in the region‚ the President called upon the international community to help Afghanistan address issues related to drug and small arms trafficking besides institutional capacity building. It is also important to help build up conducive environment in the country for the honorable return of Afghanistan refugees and their reintegration.
The President hoped that the international community would recognize Pakistan’s positive contributions and the importance of working with Pakistan to meet the regional security challenges. These problems are not just regional but also have impact on international security. He said both Pakistan and the international community should work together to help Afghanistan reclaim its rightful place in the comity of nations.
Turning to the drone attacks‚ Mamnoon Hussain said these must come to an end as these are counterproductive to the existing counter terrorism drive in Pakistan. He said Pakistan wants to constructively contribute to the realization of peace based on the principles of equality and partnership with the international‚ regional and national players.
Appreciating the member countries of European Union for their continued support to Pakistan in getting GSP plus status‚ the President said this would help our economy recover the huge losses caused by the war against terrorism.
Director General of South Asian Strategic Stability Institute Maria Sultan‚ in her welcome address‚ highlighted the key points of the book.
She said the book has been written to put forward Pakistan’s perspective on Afghanistan and the 2014 draw down. The book emphasizes upon negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue before the withdrawal of international troops.
The book features the paper of News Editor of Radio Pakistan Lutufur Rehman on the status of Durrand Line. The paper clarifies misunderstandings about the Durrand Line and term the issue as a settled one.
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