After 21st amendment: PM Nawaz says justice will be dispensed swiftly

Says firing incidents along the LoC from the other side are an attempt to mar bilateral ties.

MANAMA:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the 21st Constitutional Amendment would lead to quick dispensation of justice and will help the country in eliminating the menace of terrorism.

Speaking to members of Pakistani community in Bahrain, Nawaz said the military courts were being established to bring to justice all those elements who are involved in terrorist activities. Referring to relations with India, the premier said wars were no solution as all issues needed to be resolved through dialogue because regional stability depended on peace.

He regretted that Pakistan’s ties with India were not ideal and said he visited the neighbouring country on the invitation of the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he wanted cordial ties with all neighbours.

It was agreed between both the premiers to have a meeting of their foreign secretaries in an attempt to kick-start the dialogue process, however, India unilaterally called off the meeting, he said.

Nawaz said the incidents of firing along the Line of Control from the other side seemed to be an attempt to mar the bilateral relations. Recalling his talks with former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Lahore Declaration and initiation of the Pakistan-India Bus Service, he said there was a mutual desire to improve relations amicably and this spirit should continue.



The prime minister reiterated the government’s resolve to bring peace in the country at all costs and vowed that the war against terrorism will continue until the elimination of the last militant. He appreciated the political parties who extended full support on the constitutional amendments to bring peace to the country and establishment of the military courts.

Nawaz said quick dispensation of justice through the military courts would help the country progress and develop, without any fear or threat. “The political and military leaderships are on the same page on the issue of terrorism and wanted to end it once and for all,” he asserted.

He pledged to meet the shortfall in supply of natural gas and said work on gas pipeline from Iran will be completed soon while LNG terminals are being constructed at Port Qasim to help meet the energy shortfall. Nawaz said over 10,000MW of electricity will be generated from Bhasha, Bunji and Dasu dams, while work on coal-based power projects would help mitigate the energy shortfall.

The premier also recalled his meeting with the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and said both the countries had suffered at the hands of terrorists and have pledged that neither country will allow use of its soil against the other.

Peaceful solution for Palestine

Bahrain and Pakistan called upon the international community to work towards reaching a peaceful solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The two sides also reaffirmed their determination to provide the necessary support to reach a solution that leads to the establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders with al Quds al Shareef as its capital.

They reiterated that Israeli settlements on the Occupied Palestinian Territories are not only illegal under international law but also undermine prospects for achieving comprehensive long-standing peace.

Acknowledging the immense existing commercial potential between Pakistan and the GCC countries, Bahrain reiterated its support and commitment to further strengthen cooperation, through early finalisation of the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

Agreements reached

Pakistan and Bahrain also agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest including energy, youth and sports, advancement of women, social works and human resource development, agriculture, marine resources, cattle breeding, poultry and fish-farming, said a statement issued at the conclusion of premier’s visit on Thursday.

Both the countries agreed on the need to encourage the private sector to participate in the establishment of a Pakistan Energy Fund. The two sides stressed the importance of increasing defence and security cooperation between the two countries, and reiterated their desire to hold security dialogue annually between the two countries.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2015.