Staff Reporter Karachi
Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security Dr. Moeed Yusuf on Wednesday said the government is pursuing economic security which ultimately will contribute to national security and human welfare.
Speaking on “Pakistan’s Future Direction” on the invitation of English Speaking Union, Pakistan at a local hotel, the Security Advisor said, “Now the case of national security is the economic security and human welfare.”
There was dire need to ensure macro-economic security for further strengthening military security and human welfare.
The ultimate goal of the national security was the maximum empowerment of the people, he said.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had presented new vision of “Riasat Madina” for the country where average citizen felt secured and that one’s welfare was ensured.
Pakistan’s national policy had shifted to geo-economic policy from geo-strategic policy, he said, “ Now, we are working on a comprehensive national security policy centered on economic security.”
On Afghanistan’s situation, the PM’s Advisor said the world should remain engaged till viable political solution was found ensuring representation of entire Afghan people and to guarantee human rights especially of the women.
Stable Afghanistan was must for the entire region , rather the entire world. Otherwise, spell of instability could be expected and the world would definitely suffer. “ We cannot afford instable and burning Afghanistan.
Pakistan has no option to disengage,” he remarked adding that Pakistan had 2600 kms long border with Afghanistan and there could be mass migration. He hoped, the world would not repeat that big mistake about Afghanistan, it did after 9/11.
Pakistan’s utmost effort was to remain engaged and bring other countries into the process for peaceful and stable Afghanistan, he added. Peaceful and stable Afghanistan would help Pakistan establish connectivity with Central Asia and other neighboring countries.
Gwadar Port, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s importance would also increase with this enhanced regional connectivity.
Second major challenge to the government was to promote real partnership with the world in trade, investment and social sector.
CPEC would help also to establish connectivity eastwards but, he regretted, India’s negative attitude and hostility hampered the process. Dr. Moeed Yusuf said the third major goal before the government was to ensure internal and regional peace.
The last but not least important part of the national security was to build and promote positive perception for Pakistan before the world to increase trade and attract foreign investment, besides engaging the world as partner in the uplift of the social sector.
Earlier, he mentioned, India along with immediate past government in Afghanistan had been creating negative perception in an attempt to isolate Pakistan, that mainly aimed at weakening our economy.
Overall scenario to him was, to move in right direction in the light of Doha accord, Dr. Moeed concluded. To a question, the National Security Advisor said at present Pakistan could establish normal trade with Afghanistan.
