Alvi urges world to take note of uranium sale in India

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the international community to take note of recent incidents of illegal selling of uranium in the black market in India as such radioactive material can fall into the wrong hands, endangering human lives and security of the nations. He deplored that such an important incident has been ignored in the international media. He reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance that it would not allow the US to use its bases agains t Afghanistan. He made these remarks during an interactive session with military officers from 12 countries, who are currently undergoing the National Security Workshop Course at the National Defence University, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.

Addressing the participants of the course, the president highlighted Pakistan’s success story against the war on terror, saying the armed forces and the law enforcement agencies of the country successfully defeated terrorism. He stated that Pakistan paid a heavy cost while fighting the war on terror as it lost over 70,000 people, besides suffering economic losses to the tune of about $150 billion.

Regarding Afghanistan, he informed the participants that Pakistan is making serious efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan as it would be the major beneficiary of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He said Pakistan is the biggest sufferer of the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan that adversely affected its economy as well as security. He said Pakistan, from the very beginning, advocated for a negotiated settlement of the Afghan imbroglio as war is no solution to any dispute that increases human sufferings and miseries.

The president briefed the participants about the achievements of the country, stating that Prime Minister Imran Khan took a compassionate and smart decision by not enforcing total lockdown during the pandemic and provided emergency cash relief, under the Ehsaas Programme, to over 15 million families to save them from poverty and hunger. He went on to say that Pakistan successfully handled the pandemic due to the cooperation of religious leaders and media as well as the entire nation which showed exemplary discipline during the pandemic. The president apprised that Pakistan is moving in the right direction and is poised to become a geo-economic hub of the region by utilizing its special geo-economic location to boost regional trade and encourage economic integration.

He said Pakistan is focusing on the development of the IT sector and taking practical measures and training its youth to enhance IT exports. He stated that his country is closely working with China to promote regional connectivity and economic cooperation among countries of the region.

Replying to questions of the participants, the president said Pakistan would not permit the US to use its bases against Afghanistan. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to consolidate economic, political and cultural relations with all friendly countries, particularly countries of the region.