WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (APP): Pakistan’s elected leadership desires to make use of the country’s strategic location as regional trade and energy corridor, the Pakistani envoy in Washington said while urging world support for efforts to prosecute a “smart” fight against extremists along the Afghan border with a thrust on economic uplift and help of the people.
Ambassador Husain Haqqani told a gathering of students and intellectuals at Johns Hopkins University that the Pakistani government is committed to consolidate democratic institutions - parliament, media, education, research facilities and judiciary - and wants to improve relations with its neighbours.
Citing a host of hopeful opportunities unfolded by restoration of democratic rule in the country, Haqqani said the world has an interest in helping Pakistan at this crucial time when the people are backing anti-terrorism efforts.
“Now more people know that the security of the United States and possibly the world rests on the stability of Pakistan and Pakistan’s security relies on global security because if terrorist take advantage in Pakistan-Afghanistan border, if the Taliban regain control over any part of Afghanistan, and manage to expand their influence into parts of Pakistan and give al-Qaeda a safe haven it will not be good for global security “therefore, the world has an interest in helping Pakistan.”
In an absorbing hour and a half interaction, moderated by Walter Anderson, Director, School of Advanced International Studies, Haqqani said there is a “tribal awakening” in parts of the troubled areas- Swat and Bajaur - where people are supporting the fight against extremists since the Pakistani military is working under the civilian leadership.
“It is important for Pakistan’s friends like the United States to understand that they need to work with the Pakistani government, they don’t need to position themselves as potential violators of Pakistani sovereignty. Because what you need for successful prosecution of war on terror is support by the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
In this respect, he particularly called for legislative progress in the US Congress towards creating Reconstruction Opportunity Zones under a preferential programme, saying the resultant job generation would help offset the influence of extremists in the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He also sought passage of Biden-Lugar legislation on enhancing socio-economic assistance for Pakistan.
“There is an opportunity, we can actually get the international community engaged productively and seriously in the institution building, reconstruction in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan, in isolating the terrorists and prosecuting a smart war against terrorism.”
Responding to a question on US-Pakistan relations, he stated it is important that Americans leaders, - in the political, intellectual or media (fields) - see Pakistan as a friend and ally of the United States.
The US and Pakistan need to build a strategic partnership that lasts beyond any cycle of immediate strategic and military cooperation. “There are issues between Pakistan and the United States but they need to be resolved as issues are resolved between friends and allies.”
In answer to a question on the tribal areas, he said the government is committed to revamping the tribal areas political system, “introducing political parties like rest of the country, making sure there is a process whereby the tribal areas eventually become settled areas- it is not a six-month plan, (but) will take several years.”
On the state of democracy, he remarked there has been an intellectual transformation of the discourse in Pakistan and there is consensus on having democratic rule. “And that if democracy is to work, it will have flaws but a flawed democracy is better than an authoritarian regime.”
He said there is a great opportunity to put Pakistan on rails of constitutional governance. “Pakistan is a plural society, it can best work by submitting itself to constitutional rule”. He said all institutions in the country realise the importance of Pakistan strengthening the constitutional rule. President Asif Ali Zardari has a vision for Pakistan where there is no place for extremism, but a nation of creative people and entrepreneurship that endeavours for development and where young do not resort to violence, he said. “I think we will be transforming the whole attitude from militancy to a focus on entrepreneurship and achievement,” he elaborated.
Regarding regional cooperation, he said Pakistan will serve as a corridor for two fast growing regional economies - China and India - that can benefit enormously from trade and energy supplies through Pakistan.
“Now Pakistan’s vision is we should take advantage of our strategic location not by positioning ourselves in the middle of conflicts but by positioning ourselves as a nation that serves as a trade and energy corridor.”
About the democratic government’s stance on relations with Pakistan’s neighbours, he said it is “convinced that Pakistan will have a friendly government in Kabul by being friends with the government in Kabul” we will be friends and for that we will make every effort.” In this context, he told
the gathering that Afghan President Karzai was the only foreign leader invited to attend the inaugural ceremony of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Commenting on relations with India, he said, both Pakistan and India need to be reciprocal in assuring each other on security.
“I think it is time for India to take measures to strengthen Pakistan’s feeling of security. India and Pakistan need not compete in Afghanistan but rather be complementary in Afghanistan for the betterment of Afghans-India has to rise and make Pakistan feel it can have the pride of place in the comity of nations.”
He saw a great opportunity between the two countries and said they need to resolve issues and at the same time continue to work together. “That does not mean we will stop thinking about or talking about Kashmir. We will remain concerned about what happens in the (Indian Occupied) Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Jammu and Kashmir definitely have a major stake in their future (and) India definitely needs to address that problem.”
Source: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55889
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