ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has declared that Pakistan is committed to jointly working with SAARC member states in fighting terrorism, corruption and organized crimes.
He was addressing inaugural session of the SAARC Interior Ministers' Conference in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said at national level, Pakistan has made remarkable gains against terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb and effective implementation of National Action Plan. These reflect the Government's determination to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from our soil for good. He expressed the confidence that the decisions/recommendations of the Interior Ministers will provide the much needed impetus to the ongoing efforts to make cooperation on terrorism, corruption and human trafficking more meaningful.
Nawaz Sharif said the outcome of this meeting will complement agenda of the 19th SAARC summit which Pakistan will host inIslamabad.
He pointed out that SAARC region is blessed with tremendous human and natural resources. So, SAARC can and should provide a platform to optimally harness the regional potential for peace and prosperity of our people.
Nawaz Sharif said such an approach is in sync with his Government's vision of peace for development and peaceful neighbourhood.
He said Pakistan has always been supportive of initiatives taken by SAARC to advance its ideals and objectives as enshrined in its charter.
He said Pakistan has also been strong advocate of stepping up regional efforts to ensure energy security through sharing of indigenous sources.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan shares the perception that connectivity is critical to the progress and prosperity of the region and supports, in principle, road, air, rail and water connectivity within the region.
Nawaz Sharif said realization of the goals and objectives envisaged in SAARC charter is our collective responsibility.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in his welcome address, urged the regional countries to collectively work for promoting good governance and combating challenges faced by the region. He said South Asia faces a number of daunting challgnes including drug trafficking, human smuggling and money laundering. He said these crimes could be overcome through collective efforts.
He said SAARC since its last conference has made major headways to deal with issues of peace, stability, transnational organized crimes and human trafficking.
He expressed the confidence that the regional organization will continue to move forward with the same spirit in order to achieve the goal of peace and stability in the region.
Ch. Nisar pointed out that the South Asian region is faced with a number of daunting challenges and threats like militancy, terrorism, social injustice, corruption and organized crimes.
These are the issues that have hindered our socio economic development. He said the South Asian region shares similar and common borders and they collectively need to create such an environment that is free from violence.
The Interior Minister said Pakistan is committed to the SAARC process and desires to see it a successful regional organization.
