BEIJING, China: Pakistan has said that world needs to recognize the sacrifices rendered by it over the past three decades.
In his address at the sixth Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, the Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Pakistan has suffered a loss of 60,000 lives and billions of dollars in economy due to the war on terror.
The minister said that Pakistan’s armed forces have conducted various operations in tribal areas since 2003.
The defence minister said that the latest military operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists has vastly outnumbered achievements compared to international forces’ achievements in Afghanistan for 13 years.
Khawaja Asif was representing Pakistan at the Xiangshan Forum during which issues related to security trends in Asia-Pacific Region, security concepts in Asia, maritime security and anti-terrorism came under discussion.
The minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on the issue of “Regional terrorism: Roots and Solutions” at the forum, and said that all disputes in South Asia need to be resolved amicably to offset chances of escalation.
“A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is a guarantee for peace and stability of Pakistan and the region,” Asif said.
The defence minister also called for addressing basic concerns of the people and denying space to extremist elements who take advantage of the fault lines.
