Terrorism caused by interference of foreign powers: President Mamnoon

The president addresses 1st Speakers' Conference at National Assembly wherein foreign leaders were also present

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain said on Sunday that terrorism is not a local phenomenon but is rather caused by interference of foreign powers.

“Pakistan has been dragged into the war-quagmire after the tragic 9/11 incident,” the president said while addressing the inaugural session of First Speaker’s Conference at National Assembly wherein parliamentary leaders from six regional countries were present.

Among the attendees were Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, Speaker of the Wolisi Jirga of Afghanistan Abdul Rauf Ibraheemi, Speaker of the Shoora-e-Islami of Iran Dr Ali Larejani, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Volodin Vyacheslav Viktorovich, Speaker of Grand Turkish Assembly Ismail Kehrman and Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China Zhang Ping.



President Mamnoon said terrorism created immense problems in several countries of the region with Pakistan being the most affected during the last few years as more than 70,000 countrymen have lost their lives in acts of terrorism besides bearing a financial loss of more than $120 billion.

He told the gathering that Pakistan had initiated comprehensive steps to cope with the situation under the National Action Plan (NAP) in different parts of the country while effective action is being taken in tribal areas under Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

“As a result of these steps of Government of Pakistan, the terrorists have received a severe blow. I am sure that, this issue will be addressed completely in the near future,” the president said.

Welcoming the guests to the federal capital, the president hoped that the conference would prove extremely beneficial in combating the challenges being faced by the region as well as to utilize the opportunities for regional development and prosperity.

Mamnoon said during the course of the conference, the interactions and consultations among the participating countries would bring them even closer for understanding each other.

President Mamnoon said that the geography, common values of opinions and similar conditions provide Pakistan, Iran, China, Turkey, Russia and Afghanistan wider opportunities to work in unison for the development and prosperity of their people.

“Our geographical proximity has the potential of changing the course of history,” he said.

Besides speaker National Assembly and chairman of the Senate’s keynote addresses, all the five guest heads of their respective parliaments also addressed the inaugural session.