Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif says Pakistan rejects terrorism and extremism in all forms. Addressing the 6th Xiangshan Forum in China on Saturday he said operation Zarb-e-Azb reflects Pakistan's determination to root out terrorism.
Speaking on the forum Khawaja Asif shared Pakistan's perspective on the issue of "Regional terrorism: Roots and Solutions". He said terrorism has a local, regional as well as trans-regional impact and out reach. Today, due to globalization we witness spill over effects of conflicts from neighbours to regions and beyond", he added that as a nation, our message and intent is very clear. We reject and denounce terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. Zarb-e-Azb alongwith different operation conducted from time to time by our Armed Forces is testament to the fact that people of Pakistan reject terrorism".
Khawaja Asif also highlighted the National Action Plan devised by the Government of Pakistan to counter terrorism. He also emphasised the importance of CPEC which would transform the regions economy and dovetail perfectly with the strategy of developing and connecting South and Central Asian Regions of the world.
In the end Khawaja Asif thanked Lieutenant General GAO Jin, Chairman China Association for Military Science and Admiral SUN Jianguo, Chairman China Institute for International Strategic Studies, Peoples Republic of China and the organisers of the Xiangshan Forum with the hope that such interactions will help the world community in evolving joint strategies to overcome common threat and security problems emanating from terrorism.