Kashmir dispute biggest threat to world peace: CM

Staff Report

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said on Thursday Pakistan’s dispute with India over Kashmir was the biggest threat to world peace because both sides possessed nuclear weapons.

In an address to National Defence College War Course students at the Punjab Hall of the Civil Secretariat, the chief minister said the only way to stop the violence in the disputed state was to address its causes. “The best approach against violence is to address its root-causes, not just its symptoms,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have one of the finest professional fighting forces in the world, but battles are fought not by the Army alone, but by the entire nation,” he said.

“Military hardware has to be complemented by a vibrant and strong economy. The input and insight of War Course graduates from the National Defence College will be invaluable in the fast-changing geo-strategic environment,” he said.

Mr Elahi called on national research and analysis institutions to highlight Pakistan’s prospects in the changing global geo-political scenario. He said Pakistan had achieved “paramount status” after 9/11 thanks to its geo-strategic location, education infrastructure for English, science, technology and computer studies, plus its nuclear weapons.

Mr Elahi said his administration’s recruitment policy was merit-driven and according to the rules. His government had rejected “revenge-politics” because it was damaging society. “Our government has focused on development work instead of wasting time on petty victimisation.”

He said his government would continue reform programmes because the social and economic condition of the common man could not be improved otherwise. The government was working towards making education in the Punjab compulsory, and had already education up to matric level free, given primary school students free textbooks, and introduced attendance scholarships to reduce the dropout ratio among girl students.

“The development of the Punjab requires both teamwork and homework and we are trying to overcome these challenges with will and vision,” he said. “We have to restore the confidence in our public that tomorrow shall be better than yesterday. To do that, we have to renew our Islamic values of integrity, grit, service and sacrifice.”

The Commandment of the National Defence College thanked Mr Elahi for hosting the delegates. Punjab Chief Secretary Hafiz Akhtar Randhawa, Planning and Development Chairman Humayun Farshori, Punjab Home Secretary Ejaz Ahmad Shah and Finance Secretary Salman Siddique spoke of various aspects of the Punjab’s development and security strategy.

Home | National