Ahsan Iqbal Stresses Systematic Approach To Permanently Address Terrorism Issue

Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal Thursday stressed the need for systematic approach to permanently address issue of terrorism, saying this menace could not be defeated through blame games and without defusing conflicts.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Apr, 2018 ) :Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal Thursday stressed the need for systematic approach to permanently address issue of terrorism, saying this menace could not be defeated through blame games and without defusing conflicts.

"Collaboration is a way forward to defeat terrorism which is a global challenge. Where there are conflicts, the terrorism wrecks havoc so we need a systematic approach to permanently address the issue," he said this while speaking at a plenary session of a three-day Islamabad International Counter Terrorism Forum here.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi attended the closing session and address the participants. Others attending the closing ceremony included Foreign Minister, Kh. Muhammad Asif, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair, leader of the opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman, political leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.

National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) organized the Forum to provide an ample opportunity to portray the country's positive and soft image and a nation of courage, perseverance and resilience.

Ahsan Iqbal said conflict in Afghanistan and growing conflict in Occupied Kashmir posed a serious challenge to diffuse extremism from region and added India was fomenting conflicts and international community would have to intervene to play its due role in resolving conflicts.

The Minister said, "We need to understand causes of extremism because it (extremism) leads to terrorism. Engagement and understanding are keys to defeat the extremism," he said. Ahsan Iqbal said terrorism and extremism badly affected the globe and added Pakistan would continue its efforts against terrorism for lasting peace.

He said brave and unsung heroes of Pakistan stood united with parliament, adding state institutions and law enforcement agencies would combat the menace. The Minister said National Action Plan (NAP) and Operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad were the pragmatic measures to curb scourge of terrorism.

He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and other initiatives for regional communication would make Pakistan a hub of trade and other financial activities which would greatly contribute towards development of the country.

Regarding the Forum, he said, it had been organized by NACTA to highlight endeavors and achievements of Pakistan against terrorism and such type of forum would be organized every year with different themes.

Ahsan Iqbal, who also had inaugurated the Forum, said Pakistan had overcome a long and dark decades of terrorist victimization and instead of letting detractors define its identity, the country had turned around picture from `Victim to Victor of Terrorism.' He said, "We are determined to eliminate extremism from the society in all its manifestation through adoption of appropriate counter violent extremism strategies and narratives.

" Ahsan Iqbal said, "The road to peace and stability has been very rough and full of challenges, but I can say with pride that our efforts have borne fruits.

The incidents of terrorism have fallen sharply since 2013 when the present government came to power. Our resolve to fight forces of extremism and terrorism is unmatched and will continue unabated." The Minister said political leadership supported NACTA in all its endeavours to make Pakistan a country free from extremism and violence.

He said the government had managed to reshape course of national economy as per promise made in 2013 which was evident from the fact that the international rating agencies were now acknowledging Pakistan as one of the top few emerging economies of the world, who were earlier describing it a sinking economy.

The Minister said menace of extremism had almost been eliminated, economy witnessed rapid growth while energy crisis also had overcome. The Minister strongly condemned brutalities in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian forces and said voice of Kashmiri people could not be suppressed through guns, bullets and force.

The Indian forces must stop bloodshed of the innocent people. Addressing the Forum, Foreign Minister, Kh. Muhammad Asif said "Our success against menace of terrorism is helping us realize vision of a democratic Pakistan." He said the whole nation stands united in the fight against terrorism and terrorists are trying to undermine our sovereignty and no country can ignore attacks on its territorial integrity.

Kh. Muhammad Asif said our forces have offered unprecedented sacrifices to defend the motherland. He said the nation has firm resolve to eliminate terrorism and "We will not allow terrorist to become a threat to the country." One minute silence was observed on the occasion in memory of those who lost their lives in the war against terrorism.

During last two days the Forum engaged diplomats, governmental officials, parliamentarians, politicians, United Nation Agencies, international organizations, aid agencies, media, civil society and world community at large.

There were nine sessions in all, three Plenary Sessions and 12 panel discussions. A documentary, depicting efforts of people, the government and security agencies of the country against terrorism, was also shown.

National Security Advisor, Lt. Gen (Retd) Nasir Khan Janjua also addressed the forum on second day and said, "Besides many sacrifices and contributions, unfortunately we are still not being acknowledged." He lauded NACTA's initiative of highlighting Pakistan's efforts in counter extremism and counter terrorism to world through the Forum.