Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that the prospects for regional and global peace would remain bleak until there is durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Speaking at an international conference in Moscow, the defence minister said that the instability in Afghanistan would always hold ramifications for its neighbours and the entire region.
He warned of the spectre of spillover violence from the lingering conflict in Afghanistan, saying rising militancy, drug trafficking, arms proliferation and refugee outflows posed a huge challenge.
According to a defence ministry statement, Asif specifically underscored the significance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for Pakistan.
“Pakistan has the biggest stake in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. It is in our interest to engage constructively with the regional countries with a view to ensuring that they reinforce Pakistan’s endeavours for Afghanistan’s stabilisation,” Asif remarked.
He also mentioned the key principles of Pakistan’s policy, ie, non-interference and ‘no favourites’ in Afghanistan and assured Pakistan’s full support for Afghan peace and reconciliation efforts through an Afghan-led and an Afghan-owned process.
“On the positive side, possibilities of greater regional economic cooperation, including cross border connectivity, communications and energy links, can help reinforce efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.
On India, the minister said the trust deficit between the two countries has left a deep impact on regional stability.
“Huge defence spending by India has given rise to disparity in conventional arms and nuclearisation of South Asia which in turn has added new dimensions to the security and stability of the region,” he added.
He called for a non-discriminatory approach on the nuclear issue in the region by the global powers.
Speaking on the problems of the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR), the minister mentioned piracy as a grave threat to sea-borne trade and safety of navigation.
He also spoke about the threats posed by drug trafficking, gun running, human smuggling and incidents of maritime terrorism.
“The presence of extra regional maritime forces for protection of their maritime interests had further complicated the situation in the region,” he said.
The minister emphasised the importance of regional alliances like Asean, SCO and SAARC in safeguarding the economic and strategic interests of member countries.
“The emergence of the Russian Federation and China at global scene can boost the regional alliances to safeguard of economic and security interests of respective countries,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2014.
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