Italian scholar lauds NAP

LAHORE

Italy’s Centre for International Relations Chairman Prof Dr Andrea Margelletti has said National Action Plan (NAP) is a not a national but an international plan to combat terrorism. 

While addressing a seminar “European Perspective on the Issue of Terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan” organised by Punjab University’s Pakistan Study Centre here on Friday, he said Pakistani government was striving to counter terrorism and there was no Islamic terrorism.  According to a press release, eminent political scientist Prof Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi, former ambassador Javid Husain, AIG Punjab Police Dr Ejaz Hussain, Pakistan Study Centre Director Prof Dr Massarrat Abid and Dr Gabriele Iacovino and Dr Francesca Manenti from Centre for International Relations, faculty members and students were present on the occasion. 

Prof Dr Andrea Margelletti said Islam is a religion of peace but there are organisations and groups who are committing terrorism under the name of Islam. He said Pakistan was not known in Europe before 9/11 but things had changed after the incident. While throwing light on Italy's alliance with NATO and especially with USA, he said 9/11 was not only an attack on the USA but on western civilization also.

Dr Ejaz Hussain said terrorism was a global issue and a cyclic process.

Javid Husain was of the view that Pakistani government condemned terrorism. He said that the US policy on combating terrorism in Afghanistan had four lapses. 

“Firstly, US had completely shifted its resources and attention from Afghanistan to Gulf which provided that space for Taliban to gain power. Secondly, in deciding composition of new government in Kabul, the US totally neglected Taliban. Thirdly, for more than 10 years, the US searched for the solution for the issue through military means. Fourthly, while establishing government in Kabul, the US enthusiastically tried to infuse western political values in Afghanistan. India and Afghanistan governments must be stopped by the international community from supporting terrorism in Pakistan”, he said. 

Prof Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi pointed out the historical nature of relations between the two countries. He said terrorism must be addressed through four different angles. “One is military and intelligence, the second one is non-military mechanism, the third is societal and religious leaders and the fourth is media houses,” he said. Prof Dr Massarrat Abid said Italy and Pakistan shared a common vision and goal on many crucial issues, including terrorism and security.