Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has on Thursday said that Pakistan is a leader in winning the war against terrorism. The rest of the world failed, he added, saying that we can’t name another country which sent 20,000 soldiers to counter terrorists.

While addressing the closing ceremony of International Counter-Terrorism Forum in Islamabad, the prime minister stressed that the poll results showed that people of Pakistan were against radicalization and the Army Public School incident was a turning point where the whole nation stood together to face terrorism. We have developed a public stance on terrorism to fight it.

PM also mentioned that no one wanted peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan and it had strengthened our relationship with Afghanistan that helped counter extremism.

He stated that dialogue and not war was the way for peace.

PM Abbasi made clear that there were no terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan rather terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan were being used against Pakistan.

He also commented on the Kashmir issue saying that the international community should take notice of the atrocities and human rights violations taking place in Indian Held Kashmir and the issue should be resolved through the implementation of UN Security Council resolution.

We are working firmly to ensure economic progress in the country, he said.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif stated while speaking at the same conference that it was time to work towards sustainable development.

He insisted that we needed to invest in human resources.

Pakistan has successfully fought terrorism and has realised its vision of democracy, he said, essential for the country and has provided us the freedom of expression and social and economic rights.

He added that Pakistan was committed to PM’s vision of a democratic Pakistan.

Asif also said that the terrorists were trying to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty and no country could ignore that. “Our forces have offered unparalleled sacrifices to defend the homeland and they are ready to offer more sacrifices if need be”, he said.