Javed Jabbar asks India to address security concerns

Pakistan has begun a process of reforms in key social and economic fields that will help Islamabad utilise the country's potential for development of the region but the onus for ensuring sustainable South Asian peace and security lies on India, former Senator Javed Jabbar said.
He was addressing the 2011th International Nuclear Policies/Issues Conference, hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace attended by over 800 delegates from over 40 countries from around the world, including specialists and scholars of Pakistan.
Countering negative media portrayals of Pakistan, Jabbar listed a series of hopeful developments, achievements and resilience of the Pakistanis who continue to advance despite a lingering conflict at its Western gates and Indian refusal to ratchet down military presence on its Eastern border. Yet, the author of "Pakistan-Unique Origins; Unique Destiny?' minced no words in acknowledging challenges the country faces in terms of expanding socio-economic development, aligning three parallel education systems and extending writ of governance to deal with violent extremism.
Pakistan is a massive victim of terrorism, having paid a heavy price in terms of economic losses and sacrifices by its people and armed forces, he noted and emphasised the important role the country is playing in fighting off militants operating along the Afghan border. Today, Pakistan's major political parties and the armed forces recognise that it is democracy - led by elected civilian leaders- that provides the way forward and out of the current turmoil. Pakistani military leadership believes that human and economic security are as important to the country's strength as military prowess, he told the gathering of eminent experts.
The former federal minister underscored the vitality of Pakistani civil society by citing the vibrancy of its media and peaceful lawyers' movement for independence of judiciary. Speaking on "Darkness Before Dawn? The Future of Pakistan" Jabbar also counted bright economic prospects this year - even in the wake of catastrophic floods that swept away infrastructure and crops- as a testimony to the lively spirit and zeal of the nation.
Pakistan's tremendous human resource wealth - millions of young workers readying to serve in diverse fields of endeavour and other developments like communication proliferation including meteoric rise in the number of cell phones also augur well for awareness and progress of the country.
Jabbar felt that making voting compulsory in elections will reinforce the political process. But what about the regional factors? "A lot will also depend" on these, he argued. Jabbar informed his audience that Pakistan's security concerns vis-a-vis India are neither exaggerated nor fixation but they are real based on ground realities.
Islamabad, he said, cannot be oblivious to its security as it lives in a tough neighbourhood and will adjust its requirements accordingly. "Pakistan's defence spending is down to 16 percent of the budget -- India is the biggest arms purchaser in the world -- Indian yearly defence increases sometimes exceed Pakistan's total spendings," he said, making the point that New Delhi will have to "constantly assure" Pakistan that it does not threaten its neighbour.
He also drew the international gathering's attention to the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. "Kashmir is essential to Pakistan's security and identity," he said, rubbishing the notion that it has become an obsession. Jabbar also reassured the participants about Pakistan's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and safety of its strategic assets.