LAHORE: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security and Strategic Policy Planning, Dr Moeed Yousuf said on Saturday that Pakistan is striving for peace and prosperity in the region, as it wants peace in Afghanistan and region, while good relations with neighbours are also our priority.

Talking to media, here at Lahore Press Club today, Moeed said that Pakistan’s efforts for peace are not hidden from anyone, while India’s expansionist designs are posing threat to peace in the region. Expressing concern, he said the human rights situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has turned worst especially after India’s August 5 last year illegal step. Pakistan has been highlighting Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir at every international forum, he said, adding: “Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiris.”

Moeed Yousuf maintained that the country’s military and civil leadership are on same page and “Pakistan’s sacrifices for world and regional peace are not hidden from anyone.”

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that if India takes one step towards us, we will take two steps towards them but unfortunately Indian PM is taking steps in the other direction. “It was important to change how Pakistan’s narrative was perceived in the world and to propagate the message that the country stood for economic security and regional peace,” he said, adding: “Pakistan’s narrative is of economic security and the world has not seen that. This is what I want to work on.”

Moeed said India had tried to propagate the narrative of “shining India’ but the world could now see “how shining it was.” He added that Pakistan’s narrative is ensuring peace and taking the region forward.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020