ISLAMABAD: “Whatever the US president said about instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan are his predictions and have nothing to do with ground realities,” Aziz told a breakfast meeting with Chinese scholars, diplomats and media persons organised by a think tank here.
Sartaj Aziz has reacted strongly to a statement made by United States President Barack Obama that both Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the countries that would continue to face instability and turmoil for decades.
In his last State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Obama had warned: “Instability will continue for decades in many parts of the world – in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in parts of central America, Africa and Asia,” he said.
“Some of these places may become safe havens for new terrorist networks; others will fall victim to ethnic conflict, or famine, feeding the next wave of refugees.”
Disagreeing with Obama in his address, the adviser said, “Pakistan is taking decisive action against terrorism and militancy and days to come will witness more stability here.”
As far as Afghanistan is concerned, Aziz said, “instability exists but Pakistan is making all out efforts for establishing peace and stability there.”
Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will ensure stability, progress and prosperity in the region besides linking Pakistan and China as well as other regional countries with one another.
Speaking a seminar in Islamabad, he said CPEC would help Pakistan overcome energy crisis, adding projects related with CPEC would infuse new life in infrastructure.
He assured that Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks will be held soon. The adviser confirmed that no meeting took place in Paris between the National advisers of both the countries.
Speaking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Aziz said Pakistan would foil all sinister designs against this project.
Answering a question, the adviser said there was no competition between Chabahar port in Iran and Gwadar port and the two ports have been declared “sister ports”.
“Gwadar provides a shorter route to Central Asia than Chabahar,” Aziz remarked. Referring to the expected India-Pakistan foreign secretaries talks, he said both countries are in touch and new dates for the talks would be finalised soon.
Sartaj Aziz said that the government is trying to settle the differences between the provincial and federal government over CPEC. He affirmed that the threats related to the project will be eliminated.
He termed the project as a uniting force for all the country and said that it will help to minimize poverty. Moreover, the adviser also pronounced that fool proof security has been arranged for the Chinese workers employed for the project.
