Fighting terrorism: Mamnoon for pursuing National Action Plan

Says Pakistan has no ambitions against any country, only seeks to secure borders

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday called for pursuing the National Action Plan against terrorism.

“We must take our destiny in our hands and decide what we want for our coming generations,” he said while speaking at the graduation ceremony of participants of a security and war course at the National Defence University (NDU) here on Friday.

The president said that the National Action Plan must be pursued relentlessly till the complete eradication of terrorism.

“While the world is supportive and willing to extend a helping hand to Pakistan, it is we, who have to chalk out a future course for ourselves,” President Hussain said.

The cceremony marked the culmination of the 22-week long “National Security Course” attended by 24 participants from civil services and two officers from the Army Medical Corps.

He said that Pakistan posed no threat to any other country but only wanted to secure its borders. He, however, made it clear that unnecessary provocations along its borders will be met befittingly.

“Our nuclear capability is only intended to maintain deterrence and peace and stability in the region,” Hussain said.

The president emphasised that unless the Kashmir issue was resolved, the region will remain volatile and a flashpoint.

“We must continue to find ways to a just solution to the Kashmir dispute while taking the Kashmiris and world powers in the loop,” Hussain remarked.

He also said that the government was committed to combating the menace of extremism and terrorism as the people and the armed forces have taken up the challenge.

He was glad to see that the university was meeting all requirements of research and analysis in understanding the dynamics of a national security paradigm.

The event was also attended by federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood, services chiefs, NDU President Lt-Gen Javed Iqbal, faculty members and others.  The president congratulated the successful graduates.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2015.