Mamnoon urges for solution to Kashmir issue for regional peace

CONFERENCE ON ‘PEACE AND SECURITY IN SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA’

Rawalpindi

A four-day International conference on ‘Peace and Security in South and Central Asia’, organised by Department of Defence and Diplomatic Studies of Fatima Jinnah Women University, starts here.

Mamnoon Hussain, President of Pakistan, was the chief guest, while Higher Education Commission Chairperson Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed was guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the conference.

Scholars from United Kingdom, China, Singapore and India as well as from numerous prestigious institutes from all over Pakistan are attending this conference.

During the opening ceremony President Mamnoon Hussain said, “There is no doubt that central Asia and Southeast Asia are not only geographically situated in close proximity but their fate is also aligned in religious, cultural and economic matters. In this background Pakistan, due to its unique geography, valuable workforce and many other characteristics, is playing a leading role for peace, stability and progress in the region. The hosting of international conference on ‘Peace and Security in South and Central Asia’ is a welcome step and close to my heart for which I congratulate FJWU Vice Chancellor Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, and all the organising committee members and hope that many new and useful recommendations will be brought forth as a result of discussions and exchange between experts for peace, progress and stability in Central and South Asia”. He further said, “Our region has been badly affected due to events during the past few decades but fortunately Pakistan boldly faced this situation and despite all odds continued to work for better future for itself and for people of this region; the result of which has emerged in the shape of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). CPEC is not merely an agreement of cooperation between two countries but it is a multipurpose project which will be harbinger of progress and prosperity for all the countries in the region as a result of which the living standard of people will improve and the evil forces will be gradually weakened and die down. In this way, the region will be put on the path to peace, progress and prosperity by eradicating instability, extremism and terrorism. Pakistan is committed to a comprehensive strategy to take along all its neighbouring countries particularly Central Asian states are very enthusiastic in this regard. Without doubt, all countries in the region will get equal opportunities to benefit from use Economic corridor and related possibilities”. He also mentioned that, “It is imperative to avoid negative behaviour to reap maximum benefits from these opportunities of progress and prosperity in the region so that process of progress and cooperation could continue in full swing in the interest of people of South and Central Asia. For this purpose, Pakistan is optimistic to convert geographical proximity between all neighbouring countries into a positive and fast paced partnership”.

The president said, “The best way to resolve mutual differences and conflicts is to take measures in good faith to increase mutual interest. In my opinion, it is necessary that countries in the region maintain atmosphere of cooperation by avoiding negative competition. Pakistan is committed to this philosophy and believes that this will open up the way to solve complex issues of region because cooperation generates mutual trust and is helpful in resolving problems. I believe that historical and complex issues like Jammu and Kashmir dispute can be resolved in the same spirit. Pakistan earnestly believes that if Kashmiris’ right to self determination is accepted with an open heart, then as a result the environment will become conducive on the basis of which there will be new spirit of cooperation in the region and the resources that, at the moment, are being utilised to promote differences, will then be used for human welfare”.

The president further said, “In this age, no region can attain the goal of progress, peace, stability and prosperity unless the international community cooperated with each other will all sincerity. For this, it is important that betterment of mankind should be preferred over so called strategic interests and instead of maintain relations on basis of acceptance and rejection driven by petty interests, avenues of cooperation in the whole region should be explored. In this regard, Pakistan and China have set a beautiful example in front of world in the form of CPEC from which the other countries can also benefit. As a result of this sincere cooperation originating on the basis of human development and prosperity, hatred will be dissipated and horizons of cooperation will be expanded for collective progress. Therefore, we sincerely invite all the nations in this region to extend a hand of cooperation towards each other in the interest of third of world’s population to lay the strong foundation of progress and prosperity in the region by eliminating poverty, extremism, terrorism and bloodshed.”

In the end President Mamnoon Hussain congratulated FJWU on holding of international conference and hoped that such activities will continue in future to bridge distances between different nations of the region and expanding horizons of cooperation”.

On the occasion FJWU Vice Chancellor Dr. Samin Amin Qadir said, “FJWU has always endeavoured to promote healthy scholarship and debate on pertinent issues which are need of the hour. It has placed the highest value on academic research in order to promote a culture of critical thinking that could also become the guiding spirit for more effective policy formulation at our national level. Underlying the need to recognise the importance of regional inter-connectedness in South and Central Asia with respect to the core issues of peace and security, this four day international conference has been organised by the Department of Defence and Diplomatic Studies at Fatima Jinnah Women University”. The vice chancellor further said, “Leading academicians, scholars and experts of relevant fields have been invited to unravel these issues and to provide their critical analysis of the emerging scenarios unfolding in the context of evolving dynamics within the South and Central Asia”. She further said, “We at FJWU have taken the first step in this direction and hope that this conference will set into pace further interest at academic and policy levels leading to informed choices for the betterment of both South and Central Asia”.

HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed congratulate FJWU and stressed on the need to arrange such conferences in the future and assured HEC’s full support for FJWU for such activities.