Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said that peace, political stability and continuity of policies are mandatory for economic development of the country. The minister said this while addressing a programme held in connection with International Peace Day entitled "Counter Narrative to Extremism and Sowing Seeds of Tolerance and Harmony."
He said that peace is important for every country and its citizens, as no country can progress without peace. "Peace and development are part and parcel because peace brings development and development strengthens peace," he said. Iqbal said that development is not a T20 cricket match and it is a test match which requires a long-term political stability and continuity of policies in the country.
The minister said that development and improved standard of living are not possible without peace, stability and harmony. As peace and security are prerequisites for industrial investment and development, the government is taking so many solid steps to improve the security situation in the country.
He said that countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey and India went ahead of Pakistan due to political stability and continuity of policies. "Corruption is also rampant in India and Bangladesh, but due to political stability and continuity of polices, these countries made huge economic progress," he said. He said that Pakistan has defeated terrorism and now its economy, sports activities and tourism are being revived.
The country is on the path of recovery as security situation in Pakistan has significantly improved as compared to that of 2013. "In 2013, terrorists had besieged Pakistan and now the country has besieged terrorists," he added. Iqbal further said that the international media organisations in 2013 had declared Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries and today the same media organisations declare Pakistan as an emerging economy. "This is called a change and change is coming in the country," he added.
The minister said that the country will continue to fight against terrorism until it is completely eliminated from the country. He said that nation has always rejected extremists during elections and sided with the forces of peace and development. But there are handful of people who attract the youth to extremism through misinterpretation of religion, he pointed out. The present government has launched various educational and skill development programmes to facilitate the youth, he added.
During next three years, every district in the country would have a university campus to facilitate the local students, he said, adding that he has asked the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to initiate Inter-Universities Olympics to promote sports activities amongst the students. The minister also administered oath to office-bearers of Young Peace and Development Corps (YP&DC) on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Ministry of Interior Arshad Mirza said that the Ministry of Interior is specially tasked with internal security which is to ensure peace and stability within the country.
"Each year world celebrates International Peace Day on September 21 and our country is among the nations which have overcome great obstacles, including terrorism and extremism," he said. Pakistan offered huge sacrifices in the fight against terrorism during the last decade, he added.
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