ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Saturday reiterated that Pakistan wants to strengthen its ties with the US; however, not at the risk of its bilateral relations with other countries.<\/p>\n
Addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue, the army chief said that Pakistan does not believe in camp politics and its bilateral relationships with the partners are not at the expense of relationships with other countries.<\/p>\n
He further said that Islamabad enjoys a close relationship with Beijing demonstrated by the country\u2019s commitment to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, he added that Pakistan equally shares a \u201clong history of excellent and strategic relationship\u201d with the United States, which remains our largest export market.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe seek to broaden and expand our ties with both countries without impacting our relations with the other,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It is worth mentioning that the two-day dialogue brought together Pakistani and international policy experts to discuss emerging challenges in international security under the theme \u201cComprehensive Security: Reimagining International Cooperation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Islamabad Security Dialogue is hosting 17 international speakers from the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, European Union, Japan, the Philippines and others.<\/p>\n
Acknowledging the efforts of the National Security Division for organising the second security dialogue, COAS Gen Bajwa said: \u201cI believe today more than ever we need to inculcate and promote such spaces for intellectual debate and discourse where people from around the world come together to share their ideas about the future of their country and world at large.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was of the view that the spaces like this hold special importance where great individuals can identify the need for global cooperation rather than confrontation.<\/p>\n
Regarding the unprecedented challenges faced around the world, he said that the resurgence of inter-state conflicts amid shared global challenges of poverty, climate change, terrorism, cyber intrusion and scarcity of resources poses profound questions for the international system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe international community\u2019s collective security rests in our ability to integrate our shared goals of global prosperity to an equitable international system resisting the external pressures.<\/p>\n
\u201cPakistan, as a country located at the crossroads of economic and strategic confronts, is navigating these shared challenges in our immediate region and through our partnership in the international community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The chief of army staff further added that Pakistan\u2019s first-ever National Security Policy places the safety, security, dignity and prosperity of its citizens at the heart of our security policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt [National Security Policy] recognises the symbiotic relationship between the economic, human and traditional security, placing economic security at the core,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gen Bajwa further went on to say that the policy\u2019s ultimate aim is to achieve prosperity for Pakistan\u2019s citizens and it focuses on ensuring domestic economic stability and growth augmented through development partnership with the international community under our geo-economic strategy.<\/p>\n
COAS mentioned that in order to achieve this required peace at home and abroad, Pakistan\u2019s security forces given innumerable sacrifices to defeat terrorism. He highlighted that since 2001 Pakistan has suffered over 90,000 causalities and more than Rs150 billion in economic losses.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur commitment to defeat terrorism remains unwavering,\u201d he reiterated, adding that with the help of security and law enforcement agencies, the country has made remarkable gains against terrorism which has resulted in a remarkable improvement in the internal security situation of the country.<\/p>\n
COAS Gen Bajwa, however, added that the threat of terrorism and violent extremism remains and the struggle will continue till \u201cwe eliminate the last terrorist and cause of terrorism from our region.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said: “We are committed to preserving our gains against terrorism and are working with the interim Afghan government and other neighbours to ensure that terrorist organisations are no longer allowed to use the territory of one county against another.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA peaceful and prosperous west and South Asia is our goal,\u201d he said, adding that Pakistan\u2019s National Security Policy focuses on the promotion of national security cohesion and harmony through the precepts of unity and diversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus remains on the elimination of intolerance and extremism by celebrating the diversity of our country. I fully realise that it is a huge challenge but we are committed and we will not relent till we make Pakistan a moderate and forward-looking country as envisioned by our founding father Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Recognising the fact that it is the regions and not countries that grow, the COAS said: \u201cWe believe that peace and stability in our wider region are pre-requisites for achieving shared regional prosperity and development.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this regard, our doors are open for all our neighbours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDecades-long conflict in our immediate west has created negative externalities and spill-over effects that have adversely impacted our economy, society and security,\u201d he said, adding that this is why Pakistan wants to work closely with the international community to pursue peace and stability in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Shedding light on the challenges, COAS Gen Bajwa said: \u201cUnfortunately, lack of financial flows and continued sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.\u201d<\/p>\n
He mentioned that Pakistan has worked tirelessly to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan in collaboration with the international community \u201cbut much more is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is our collective responsibility towards the people of Afghanistan to ensure timely and adequate flow of humanitarian aid into the country; however, the world, especially the west is preoccupied with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine,\u201d he stated, reiterating that we must not forget the 40 million Afghans during these times.<\/p>\n
\u201cInability to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan will not only lead to the refugee crisis but will again make Afghanistan an epicentre of terrorism where Daesh \u2014 which is a global agenda \u2014 flourishes which may result in more than one 9\/11,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood or bad, it is important for the international community to keep the Afghan government\u2019s nose above the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mentioning the performance of the interim Afghan government, he said: \u201cThe performance of the present Afghan government is not satisfactory, to say the least, but we have to be patient and accommodative.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of imposing sanctions, which have never worked, we must incentivise Afghans for their positive work and behavioural change,\u201d he said, reiterating that disengagement with Afghanistan is \u201cnot an option.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge the international community to share their concerns directly with the Afghan interim government and continue their engagement to ensure uninterrupted flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan,\u201d he emphasised.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that Pakistan already hosts over four million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees.<\/p>\n