ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said all institutions should perform their functions in their respective domains, efficiently and effectively.
Speaking here at a presentation on "National Security Papers" at the National Defense University (NDU), the Prime Minister said a stable domestic environment was a pre-requisite for investments and trade.
"Democracy guarantees dynamic stability. It enables the creative forces of our people to find expression and full resonance for the socio-economic transformation of our country," the Prime Minister told the audience that included Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Asif Sandila and senior officials of the three Services.
Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Foreign Minister Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar also attended the event.
The Prime Minister said "our institutions are stable and have a rich history and tradition," and pointed that the media, civil service, the Armed Forces, the Judiciary and above all the parliament were all anchored in Constitution, law, rules and traditions.
He stressed that close coordination and cooperation - both vertical and horizontal- at the Federal and Provincial levels, was important.
"There is certainly the need to maintain a positive trajectory and to pursue it with full confidence,"
Gilani said "national unity, seriousness of purpose, faith in the aspirations of our people for peace and progress and their ability to persevere and overcome any and all challenges guarantees a bright future."
Gilani vowed that while prioritizing economic development to aggregate national strength, "we will continue to endeavour to create a stable external environment that is conducive to economic growth."
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was undergoing a swift and profound societal transformation.
"Democracy and democratic institutions continue to foster change, impelled also by information revolution, internet and the micro-chip."
He said it was indeed, remarkable that the people of Pakistan and institutions have not only been able to cope with the pace of change but also demonstrate immense resilience to the challenges that the country faces.
He said on the social and economic front, there was a legitimate rise in expectations for a better life and for equal opportunity.
Gilani said there was also a strong sense and sentiment that Pakistan has the capacity and the talent to work the economic miracle and be counted as a leading economy in the region.
"Indeed, our human and natural resources provide compelling reasons for not only hope but genuine optimism about Pakistan's growth potential."
Technology is a huge equalizer. Fibre optics, mobile telephony, computers, together with sound management, ensure new opportunities for economic growth and erasing of disparities between and within regions and of class.
He said Pakistan was mindful about the prevailing geo- political situation and the advantages that accrue from Pakistan's geographic location as being on the crossroads of Central, west and South Asia.
Pakistan supports the quest of the people of Afghanistan for peace, stability and development.
"We wish to see stability and prosperity spread its wings in South and Central Asia."
He also expressed desire of further strengthen fraternal relations with OIC member states and mentioned that Pakistan has reached out to states in the Far-East and South-East Asia with a view to build mutually-beneficial partnerships.
"We have dispensed with the notion of aid, and believe in trade," Gilani said.
Comprehensive economic partnerships, Preferential and Free Trade Arrangements, regional economic cooperation, connectivity, trans-regional trade and energy pipelines, exploration and extraction of our mineral wealth and flourishing of our agriculture and industry is bound to make Pakistan strong and prosperous.
Gilani commended the NDU and the participants for the high quality of presentations and noted that NDU was a premier national institution, excelling both in training and research. The Prime Minister asked pertinent questions from the panelists about the National Security.
He noted that both topics- Non-kinetic Warfare and Strategic relations with China- were important for Pakistan in the fast- changing world.
He said the pace and complexity of change in all spheres requires that the dynamics are accurately comprehend.
"We need to position ourselves to benefit from the enormous opportunities offered by technology and the ongoing profound transformations in the global political and economic landscape."
Gilani noted that turmoil and turbulence has engulfed various regions of the world and much of the developed world was witnessing recessionary trends.
He said the world economy has witnessed structural changes including fiscal deficits, widespread indebtness, unemployment and other related issues were impacting politics and governments.
Strife and conflict was also in evidence in various parts of the world.
He however pointed that Asia, as a whole, has done well economically and the economic fundamentals for Asia are positive.
He said traditional concepts of security no longer hold. Theoretical constructs of the previous century cannot serve as a basis to do what was necessary for safeguarding and promoting our national interests.
Gilani said the concept of "non-kinetic warfare" was indicative of the need for innovative thinking.
He said the NDU presentation has brought forth multiple dimensions of this concept, which undoubtedly would contribute to better planning and more effective utilization of our national resources.
Prime Minister Gilani said the presentation on strategic relations with China was also extremely important and useful. He described China as closest friend and most reliable partner and the trust and confidence between the two countries has no parallel.
"Our time-tested friendship and robust partnership with China is not only a source of strength but also an important factor of stability and peace in our region," Gilani said.
He said both Pakistan and China are committed to further strengthening their relations, in all domains, and to give greater content to mutually-beneficial economic and technological cooperation.
He appreciated the work of the National Defence University on issues of national importance.
"I would encourage you to continue to make your valuable inputs in formulating policies." the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister, on his arrival was received by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shamim Wynne and President NDU Lt. General Agha Umar Farooq.
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