ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Wednesday said the Afghan War had negative impacts on the entire region as apart from bringing drugs and weapons, it also fueled extremism and terrorism.
While addressing an International Conference titled “Pakistan: A Land of Opportunities for Central Asian Republics” held in Islamabad, Tehmina Janjua said Pakistan faced the brunt of instability in Afghanistan; therefore, Pakistan always wanted a peaceful Afghanistan.
“17-year Afghan War has not helped to seize the conflict,” she said.
In her remarks which mainly focused on “Geo-Political Challenges to Enhance Regional Integration”, the Foreign Secretary said the Seminar – which hosted regional experts including from Pakistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) at one platform for brainstorming sessions to enhance the regional economic opportunities and discuss regional security paradigm – would help to connect Pakistan with Central Asia more closely.
The Foreign Secretary said Pakistan was land of opportunity for Central Asia and other adjoining regions. She said new era of regional integration had begun, adding having 25-year old diplomatic relations, Pakistan and the Central Asian Countries shared common culture and history.
Tehmina Janjua termed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a hope for the region in terms of regional integration and development, and also underlined the importance of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Central Asia South Asia (CASA 1000) for Pakistan.
Turning to geo-political situation, Tehmina Janjua said emerging multipolar World was a reality. She said some Countries wanted to use this region as chess board. However, she added, Pakistan was committed to support any positive initiative by anyone in the region.
In addition, she hoped that India would initiate dialogue with Pakistan for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.
Dr. Khudoberdi Kholiqnazar- Director, Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, Republic of Tajikistan presented his speech on “Building Regional Synergies to Achieve Peace, Security and Development”. He stated that it is important to take into account the interaction of challenges to the development of countries and the challenges of developing regional economic cooperation. It is important to promote the formation of economic corridors, in the center of which there are transport and energy arteries, favorable terms of trade providing concentrated commercial types of activity, creating opportunities for business, tourism and other socio-economic activities. He further stated that for the Republic of Tajikistan, security is a priority and it is also important to intensify foreign economic cooperation.
Ms. Tehmina Janjua- Foreign Secretary, Government of Pakistan presented her speech on “Addressing Geo-Political Challenges to Enhance Regional Integration”. She stated that the Afghan War had negative impacts on the entire region as apart from bringing drugs and weapons, it also fueled extremism and terrorism. Pakistan faced the brunt of instability in Afghanistan; therefore, it wanted a peaceful Afghanistan. The Foreign Secretary said Pakistan was land of opportunity for Central Asia and other adjoining regions. She said new era of regional integration had begun, adding having 25-year old diplomatic relations, Pakistan and the Central Asian Countries shared common culture and history. Tehmina Janjua termed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a hope for the region. Turning to geo-political situation, Tehmina Janjua said emerging multipolar World was a reality.
The Foreign Secretary said Pakistan was land of opportunity for Central Asia and other adjoining regions. She said new era of regional integration had begun, adding having 25-year old diplomatic relations, Pakistan and the Central Asian Countries shared common culture and history. Tehmina Janjua termed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a hope for the region. Turning to geo-political situation, Tehmina Janjua said emerging multipolar World was a reality.
Ikramov Adkham Ilkhamovich, the former Vice Prime Ministerof Uzbekistan and presently Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan presented his speech on “Reconnecting Central Asia with South Asia- A Road Towards Prosperity”. He stated that Uzbekistan is one of the top 10 economic reformers and integration into world economy is a priority for Uzbekistan. Furthermore, Uzbekistan has started process of joining into the World Trade Organization and simplification of cross border trading is crucial for Uzbekistan’s development. He proposed many industries in which Uzbekistan can collaborate with Pakistan including industries of Oil and Gas industry, chemical, pharmacuticals, food industry, electronic industry and tourism.
Ms. Irina Chernykh- Chief Research Fellow, Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Republic of Kazakhstan presented her speech on “Potential and Prospects of Intra-Industry Trade in the Region”. She stated that Intra-industry trade must be promoted in the region to explore the untapped potentials of the region.
Mr. Baidoletov Nuradil Esenbekovich- Deputy Director, National Institute of Strategic Studies of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyz Republic presented his speech on “Promoting Regional Integration through Socio-Cultural Exchange Opportunities”. He stated that Kyrgyzstan pays special attention to the sphere of education and we believe that such joint projects will allow our young generation to receive quality education both in the Kyrgyz Republic and in Pakistan. He also stated that there is need for rapid advancement in economic, cultural, and social integration in the 21st century to promote the cultural exchanges for mutual understanding through a regional common project, i.e. tourism which will provide Pakistan and CARs the opportunities to interact with each other.
