Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that extremism and terrorism poses a serious threat to the progress and stability of the country.
"Threat to national security stems from within and outside, the former being more dangerous as it undermines the vary basis of society," the prime minister told participants of National Security Workshop at the National Defence Course, Armed Forces War Course and faculty members.
He was of the opinion that internal dissension not only militates against economic progress and public welfare but also creates external vulnerabilities. "Pakistan along with the international community is engaged in fighting this menace and we are determined to continue playing our role in the war against terror," he said.
"We believe that in order to root out this menace, it is essential to address its basic causes and we hope that the international community will play its role in this connection," Aziz said.
He said Pakistan was committed to promoting peace and stability in the region, saying the country neither harbours aggressive designs against any country, nor wishes to engage in arms race. "However, we firmly believe that a strong defence is indispensable to the territorial internality, stability and progress of Pakistan". "We are proud of our armed force who, have always stood by the nation in the hour of trial and exhibited exemplary courage and capability to defend our home land".
He said the government was committed to strengthen and recognises its defence force along the modern lines, adding it was indeed gratifying that Pakistan has come a long way in enhancing its indigenous defence capability.
"Augusta Submarine, JF-7 Thunder Aircraft, and our missile and space programme bear testimony to the diligence and the dedication to our scientists, technicians and above all our armed forces".
He said Pakistan's defence doctrine is based on minimum credible deterrence and Islamabad is in favour of a regional strategic restraint regime in strategic and conventional weapons.
Talking about foreign relations, he said Pakistan had a unique geo-strategic position presents challenges as well as opportunities. "We are located at the cross-roads of South, Central and West Asia and can leverage our position as a bridge-head for multiple corridors of co-operation involving energy trade, transportation and tourism".
"Such a web of co-operation and inter-dependence would be win-win for all the stakeholders," he said and added that Pakistan was also engaged in a host of multilateral and regional arrangements.
He referred to the membership of Pakistan in Saarc, ECO, D-8, OIC, ACD and SCO and said that Pakistan was also steadily moving towards full dialogue partnership with Asean. "We believe that relationships with such diverse groups will be of immense benefit to us".
Pakistan is keen to promote peace and co-operation with its neighbours by resolving outstanding issues. "It is with this end in view that we are engaged in a composite dialogue process with India. We believe that a resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Kashmir is essential for a lasting peace in the region".
"This requires a just and durable settlement in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people," he said, adding Pakistan had put forward several innovative ideas to achieve progress in the dialogue and we remain committed to this process. "We hope that the Indian leadership will also show courage and work sincerely towards carrying the process forward".
About relations with Afghanistan, he said Pakistan shares historical, cultural and religious ties and remained committed to promoting peace and security as well as support for its reconstruction and rehabilitation. "Peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the strategic interest of Pakistan".
He said the objective of Pakistan's foreign policy was to strengthen its national interest and territorial integrity and to promote peace and stability in the regions.
"Our relations with China, USA, EU, Russian and Japan are steadily expanding in scope and content". He said economic diplomacy is also a central plank of the foreign policy, which is yielding dividends by promoting foreign investment in the country and increasing access to world markets.
Talking about relations with Islamic nations, the prime minister said the country attaches special importance to its relationship with the Muslim Ummah.
"We face common challenges and have to work together to face them with dignity and solidarity. We are facing a big challenge at present". He said innocent civilians, including women and children, had fallen victim to Israeli aggression in Lebanon. "We have condemned Israeli aggression in unequivocal terms and hope than the United National will ensure implementations of its resolutions for immediate cessation of the Israeli offensive and restoration of peace".
He said Pakistan recognises that the solution of Palestine issue was indispensable to a lasting peace in the Middle East, saying that international community and the United Nations should play an effective role in finding a solution to this problem.
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