ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said only the normalization of relations between Pakistan and India could de-escalate tension between the two neighbouring countries.
He was speaking at the closing plenary of 8th Sustainable Development Conference, which concluded here under the auspices of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Thursday.
Imran Khan said political, economic and social integration of the whole region would help reduce poverty in South Asia which was home to millions of vulnerable populations.
Referring to deforestation and illegal cutting of trees by timber mafia in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), he said the KPK government would achieve the target of growing one billion trees by 2018.
Speaking on the occasion, SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said sustainable development goals could be achieved through peace and integration and that was the only way to achieve development agenda in the region.
He said South Asian women parliamentarians could play a major catalyst role in bringing about a change in the political mindset.
Chairperson of National Commission on Status of Women Ms Khawar Mumtaz said in South Asia the pace of women empowerment was slow and ineffective.
Talking about the positive correlation of women’s emancipation with prosperity, she said that laws were there but political elements hold back women from their potential.
Former Chairman, WAPDA, Shamsul Mulk said knowledge is a driving force which plays a paramount role in development and progress.
Chairman of SDPI, Board of Directors (BoG) Shafqat Kakakhel said the conference has covered almost all the issues such as sustainable development, governance and climate change.
Source: APP
