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PR. No. 58/2009

Date: 07/02/2009    

OPENING REMARKS BY FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI AT THE MUNICH YOUNG LEADERS ROUND TABLE ON SECURITY POLICY ON THE SIDELINES OF MUNICH SECURITY DIALOGUE (07 FEBRUARY 2009)

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Ladies and Gentlemen,

          It is indeed an honour for me to speak before you on Pakistan’s Security and Foreign Policy challenges. This is a much talked about subject and I would be glad to share my views with you before we open the floor to your questions.

2.       Let me first of all thank the ‘Koerber-stiftung Foundation’ for inviting me to speak at the ‘Munich Young Leaders Round Table on Security Policy’. Such initiatives are indispensable to furthering our mutual goals for peace and stability in an ever increasing complex world.

3.       Pakistan is beset with many a challenge today, posing a threat to its security and internal priorities. These include:

       the years;

4.       Let me also say that the democratic Government of Pakistan is geared to meet these challenges and indeed sees opportunities for our betterment in them.

Security on the Afghan Border

5.       I think, and not without good reason, that the first issue of importance for Pakistan is the growing insecurity on our borders with Afghanistan.

6.       It is in the interest of Pakistan to see a stable and peaceful Afghanistan and we share international concern at the continuing insurgency in Afghanistan that must be controlled through a sustained and long term strategy with the cooption of all countries in the region.

7.  As the West is now thinking in terms of a military surge in Afghanistan, there should be equal emphasis on a political and developmental surge.

8.  I may also point out that with a military surge in Afghanistan there would be a greater danger of the number of militants crossing over into our territory and accordingly there should be more emphasis on border control.

9.       There is also need to bring the Afghan people on one platform and for the Afghan Government to assume greater responsibilities in terms of security, development and political dialogue.

Terrorism and Extremism
10.     Pakistan has had to face the threat of terrorism and extremism from its borders with Afghanistan. Unfortunately we have been a victim of terrorism for decades and especially since 9/11.

11.     Our position against terrorism and extremism of any kind is unflinching despite the heavy cost we are paying today in terms of loss of precious civilian and military lives and the setback to our economy.

12.  Our message to the terrorists is loud and clear. We will not allow our territory to be used in furtherance of terrorism and we will not be daunted by their threats.

13.  At home, we have adopted a comprehensive multi-pronged strategy to deal with terrorism which has political and popular ownership. The policy involves resolve to political dialogue, comprehensive development and the use of force where necessary. We are also addressing the root cause of terrorism in order to suppress the menace for the long term.

14.     In our estimation until the problem of terrorism is tackled by eliminating poverty and economic deprivation, the international community would not be able to control its spread to other regions of the world.

15.  It is, therefore, extremely important that programmes for economic uplift of Afghanistan and the border areas of Pakistan be initiated at the earliest.

16.     I would also like to point out that the success of our efforts and sacrifices would depend upon the international community’s understanding of our needs and compulsions. Pakistan’s capability to counter terrorism and extremism must be enhanced. Similarly under no circumstances should our sovereignty be violated and the Pak-Afghan border must be kept sacrosanct.

Tensions with India
17.     The belligerent Indian response to the Mumbai terrorist attacks unfortunately threw the Pakistan-India Peace Process back to square one.

18.     This is not only of concern to Pakistan, but is of vital importance to the security of the world and must, therefore, be discussed candidly in any forum dealing with global security challenges. It is my intention to bring the most essential aspects of this problem to your attention.

19.     Pakistan severely condemns the terrorist attacks in India and like all responsible members of the international community abhors any incidents involving the killing of innocent civilians.

20.  Accordingly, we have offered India joint investigations probing the Mumbai attacks, as well as formation of a Joint Commission under the National Security Advisors of both countries.

21.  We have also proposed to send a high powered delegation from Pakistan, in order to establish trust and confidence. We have also begun our own investigation of the Mumbai incident and have taken wide ranging measures in closing down the offices of the Jamat-ud-Daawa, arresting their leaders and freezing their assets.

22.  This investigation can only reach fruition with Indian cooperation.  Unfortunately India has refused to accept our sincere overtures and has started a vilification campaign against Pakistan, not realizing that Mumbai was as much a blow to Pakistan as it was to India.

23.     Democratic governments in Pakistan have always pursued a policy of friendly relations with India. We want to cooperate with New Delhi in rooting out terrorism from the region and to resolve all our differences including the issue of Jammu & Kashmir through dialogue.

24.  It would not be out of context to mention that India-Pakistan tensions have been a major impediment in the progress and prosperity of the down trodden people of South Asia.

Democracy and Political Institutions
25.     Unfortunately, democracy has had a checkered growth in Pakistan’s short history.

26.  Pakistan’s inception was rooted in the high ideals of democracy. However, this process was disrupted by martial laws and dictatorial regimes, weakening democratic institutions and adversely affecting the country’s progress and sustained economic development.

27.  The Pakistan’s People Party has been in the forefront of the struggle to nurture and strengthen democracy in Pakistan and has made unmatched sacrifices in attaining this goal.

28.  Many of our leaders were incarcerated in this noble struggle. Given our history of struggle against dictatorial regimes, we are determined to build resilient and sustainable democratic institutions in Pakistan. We are firmly committed to this goal in order to ensure Pakistan’s march towards progress and prosperity.

29. Accordingly, the Government stands for the supremacy of Parliament, the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the press. We have accordingly put into place long term measures to improve the law and order situation, provide speedy justice, give protection for civil and human rights and to make Government transparent and accountable.

Economy
30.     Let me say in short, that when the People’s Party took office last March, it inherited a weak and faltering economy. Severe food and energy shortages, spiraling inflation, rising fiscal and current account deficits, declining foreign exchange reserves, high subsidies, growing poverty and unemployment and meager allocations for the social sectors were the order of the day. The global financial crisis further accentuated our difficulties.

31.     The Government immediately embarked upon wide ranging reforms to stem the rot. The agriculture sector the mainstay of the economy has been accorded priority so that we become self sufficient in food production.

32.  The energy shortages are being addressed by offering renewed incentives to local as well as foreign investors in the exploration of oil and gas and the exploitation of our substantial coal reserves and hydel potential. The gas pipeline project with Iran is also being fast tracked.

33.     We have successfully negotiated a financial stabilization package with the IMF to tide over the present economic crunch.

34.  We have instituted the ‘Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum’, to open up new vistas of economic cooperation and investments in Pakistan.

35.  In order to protect the poorest segment of our society from the impact of the rising cost of living, we have introduced the ‘Benazir Income Support Programme’, as a way of a social security net.

36.     Pakistan has huge economic potential. We have the fifth largest coal reserves in the world and over 30,000 MW of hydel potential in the run of the river projects alone.

37.  Pakistan can also act as a hub, linking Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. We can also act as a conduit for massive energy flow from Central Asia. The possibilities are endless and we look forward to investments in infrastructure programmes from abroad.

38.     We strongly believe that the people of Pakistan and the region, deserves a far better future.

Nuclear Issues
39.     The security and safety of our nuclear assets has been questioned lately amid growing fears of their falling in the wrong hands. Let me assure you that despite the threat of extremism and terrorism that I have referred to above, Pakistan’s nuclear assets are under safe custody and control and we have instituted fool proof mechanisms for their control.

40.     These issues are not the only issues facing Pakistan but they would give you an idea of what we have to confront on various fronts.

I would now be very happy to answer your questions.

Thank You all.

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Islamabad
07 February 2009