Summary Says Pakistan is not a terror center, ready to go extra mile for normalization of ties with India.
WASINGTON (Web Desk) –Government intends to resume the journey where it was interrupted by military coup in 1999 both in terms of reforms at home and foreign policy.
He was speaking at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on "Pakistan s Vision for Peace‚ Stability and Development".
The Prime Minister said the Government is also determined to create a society based on social justice and well being of all people without any discrimination.
Mian Nawaz Sharif he was mindful of the reality that realization of this agenda requires internal peace and security as well as peace and stability in the neighborhood.
He said Pakistan is determined to transform relations with its friends in the world but more importantly with immediate neighbors.
The Prime Minister said the greatest challenge comes from terrorism and extremism but Pakistan is neither a source nor epicenter of terrorism as sometime alleged.
In fact‚ Pakistan itself has been a major victim of the scourge of terrorism for over a decade. Pakistan s sacrifices in the struggle against terrorism are well-known.
We have faced hundreds of suicide attacks in the past decade‚ losing over seven thousand of brave soldiers‚ security personnel and policemen.
He said with over forty thousand civilian casualties‚ our sacrifices are immeasurable both in terms of loss of human lives and damage caused to infrastructure.
He said his Government is firmly resolved to end the cycle of violence but this cannot be done overnight. He said as an extraordinary expression of national unity and cohesion‚ the All Parties Conference underlined the imperative need of giving peace a chance.
The Prime Minister said the Government is also determined to address the challenge posed by a weak economy. It is focusing on energy sector which has hampered our national growth and created social unrest.
He told the audience that this year there had been democratic tradition from one democratic government to another and one elected President to another.
These events represent remarkable transformation of our democratic culture‚ signifying political maturity not only for electorate but mainstream parties as well.
They will surely strengthen the democratic institutions and rule of law in the country.
Nawaz Sharif said they want to reduce dependence on foreign loans and enhance trade. He said tax to GDP ratio will be increased from nine to fifteen percent till 2018.
The Prime Minister said it was decided to privatize major state owned enterprises including PIA‚ Pakistan Steel Mills and OGDCL.
On foreign relations‚ he said Pakistan firmly believes that a peaceful‚ stable and developed Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan.
He said our efforts are focused on stabilization of Afghanistan which is going through an important phase.
He said Pakistan wishes that landmark transition will be completed peacefully and smoothly. He said international community remains engaged in reconstruction of Afghanistan and its economic development.
He said Pakistan strongly supports an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan owned peace and reconciliation process. Simultaneously we are making efforts to upgrade our relations with Afghanistan.
Pakistan extended more than 450 million dollars assistance for Afghanistan reconstruction and capacity building with special focus on infrastructure‚ health and education sectors. He said Karachi-Peshawar Highway will be extended up-to Kabul.
The Prime Minister hoped that TAPI and CASA-1000 projects will help strengthen peace and stability and achieve common objective of progress and prosperity.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan shares common history and destiny with India.
He said our past and future is inter-twined. He said people of Pakistan want to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue and negotiations with India including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said he is confident that there are areas where we can make quick progress.
The Prime Minister said it is time that two sides address their bilateral issues with utmost seriousness.
He said Pakistan desires to live in peace with its neighbour. He said we want to realize potential for mutually beneficial economic cooperation at bilateral level and broader regional level under SAARC.
He said contrary to the common perception‚ Pakistan-US relations have stood test of time. He said as democracy takes roots in Pakistan there is need for strong relations between the two countries.
He said the two countries share perceptions on wide-ranging issues including Afghanistan‚ peace and stability in South Asia and Middle East and extremism and terrorism.
The Prime Minister said drone attacks have deeply disturbed our people. He said drone attacks are the major irritant in our bilateral relations and stressed the need to end these attacks. He said drone attacks are against the sovereignty.
He said Pakistan wants to enhance relations with US in the fields of trade‚ investment‚ energy‚ technology‚ education and agriculture.
He said there should be greater inter-action between our two countries not on Parliamentary level but through exchange of businessmen‚ students and opinion leaders. He said military level relationship should be reinvigorated.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and fully alive to prevent its sovereignty and independence without engaging in any arms race.
e said it maintains credible minimum deterrence for regional security and stability. He hoped that the United States would follow non-discriminatory approach for nuclear civil cooperation.
The Prime Minister invited US private sector to join us for sustained economic growth and development of Pakistan.
