KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday said that Pakistan has kept the region safe from any mishap by maintaining nuclear balance, and the purpose of increase in defence production is also to maintain balance of power in the region.
Speaking at the seminar "Stability and the Economics of Regional Peace in South Asia" on the occasion of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, (IDEAS), 2016, at a hotel here, he said Pakistan is a peace-loving country, and wants cordial relations on the basis of equality with all the neighbouring countries, including India.
President Mamnoon Hussain emphasised that regional peace and stability is vital to ensure development and prosperity in the region.
He stressed that regional countries should learn from past mistakes and refrain from interfering in the internal matters of other countries.
The President said that Pakistan is swiftly moving forward in defence production and different other fields, and the participation of the increasing number of countries in the IDEAS-2016 proves this fact.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan has set a precedent for the world by effectively curbing terrorism through Operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan. He said that this excellent exhibition of defence production reflects the extra-ordinary expertise and dedication of the experts and workers associated with their field.
The President pointed out that the government through a comprehensive strategy has invested in education and also promoted healthy activities among the youth, and these efforts are producing very fruitful results.
About the Kashmir dispute, he said it is the biggest challenge to peace in the region, adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are deprived of their right to self-determination and are facing brutalities at the hand of occupation forces.
He said that Pakistan would continue moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir.
President Mamnoon Hussain said that repeated unprovoked ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control are claiming precious lives.
The President stressed that no one should misconstrue the policy of restraint, as Pakistan is fully capable to respond to any aggression.
He said that India's refusal to attend the 19th meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) hurt the efforts for regional peace, and violated SAARC Charter.
The President Mamnoon Hussain reiterated that Afghanistan is a close neighbour and brethren, and its stability and prosperity is necessary not only for the region, but also Pakistan.
About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, he said that the whole region will hugely benefit from this initiative.
The President said that the efforts by our experts in defence production are for regional peace. "We want that by maintaining balance of power, regional stability, development and prosperity be ensured," he added.
He said that IDEAS-2016 is a milestone towards achieving these objectives, which gained international recognition in very short period. "We are proud of our scientists and technical experts, who have produced the most effective, sophisticated and low-cost weapons of international standards," he added.
He said, "We want to invite our friends and the world community to join these endeavours through joint ventures and investment. Our this offer would be very beneficial for the economy of regional peace."
Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, armed forces chiefs, Director General Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Maj-Gen Agha Masood Akram, parliamentarians, and a large of delegates attended the seminar.
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