President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday called for developing a strategic framework that encompasses all elements of national power for an effective national security policy to address the challenges confronting the nation. Addressing the closing ceremony of the 16th National Security Workshop here at the National Defence University (NDU), the President said national security was a complex multifaceted undertaking that required a comprehensive approach.
"Effective pursuit of national security imperatives requires developing a strategic framework which encompasses all elements of national power. This must focus on all ways in which national, regional and international factors impinge upon the security outlook of a country."
The President said "we are living in an interdependent world in which traditional notions of security and sovereignty come under strain and are being constantly redefined and renegotiated." He said there was a need to come to grips with the implication of the fundamental changes in international relations.
He said holding of such workshops was vital for the policy makers as they give an opportunity to parliamentarians, civil servants, military leadership and members of the civil society to collectively deliberate upon national security imperatives. The President said Pakistan was forging closer ties with all its neighbours, particularly the Central Asian Republics, and desired that all issues were resolved.
He said only an economically strong country could hope to achieve success and make progress in all spheres of life. He mentioned the huge loans taken by the previous government that had made it difficult for the present government to carry out large scale reforms. Despite all the constraints, he said the economic managers were busy in formulating policies to provide maximum relief to the common man.
He also mentioned the series of development projects; including the Pakistan-China trade corridor, Lahore-Karachi Motorway, Hazara Motorway, dams, Gwadar Port and the several power generating projects that were aimed at putting in place an infrastructure that could put Pakistan on the road to progress.
President Mamnoon Hussain said early completion of those mega projects was vital for a progressive Pakistan and urged the entire nation to help their swift completion. "The future of Pakistan was closely linked to these development projects," the President said. He also spoke about the menace of extremism, which he said was bringing a bad name to Islam that always preached peace, love and humanity.
He said National Defence University could play its part by discussing the issue with religious scholars, who could come up with recommendations and suggestions to persuade those who had gone astray. The President appreciated the NDU for its role in helping the policy makers identify and to find a solution to the challenges confronting the nation. He hoped the participants too would benefit from their exposure and understanding of many of the complex problems and to help suggest solutions.
He said deliberations on issues of national security implications on Pakistan would enable the people of Pakistan realise the full potential of the country. He said national security workshop would help build the capacity of the policy makers and create consensus on issues of vital national importance. He said it would also strengthen national integration and process of nation building.
President Mamnoon Hussain also handed over certificates amongst the participants that included parliamentarians, civil and military officers, members of the civil society after completion of the five-week course. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashid Mahmood also attended the event. President NDU Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal said workshops were aimed at helping the participants perceive the challenges facing the country and suggest ways on how to approach these, with a view to addressing them. The participants also gave a presentation on Prime Minister's Vision 2025 and came up with a number of proposals to make the program practical and effective.
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