Islamabad, June 16, 2019 (PPI-OT): Your Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan
Distinguished Heads of CICA Delegations,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
On behalf of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, I wish to congratulate President Rahmon and the Government of brotherly Tajikistan for convening this important Summit in the beautiful city of Dushanbe.
We are confident that under your able stewardship, Mr. Chairman, the CICA process would continue to build on its achievements. We assure you of our full cooperation.
We also take this opportunity to congratulate China for its dynamic leadership and substantive contribution to CICA as its preceding chair.
Mr. Chairman,
Asia is home to over half the global population. Our strength lies in our diversity and the dynamism of our people, who have transformed Asia into world’s fastest growing region.
In many ways, CICA also represents the essence of cooperative multilateralism. Our membership brings a range of perspectives yet comes together to explore avenues of cooperation.
It is a matter of satisfaction that this platform of confidence building continues to grow as is evident by the establishment of new institutions such as Business and Youth Councils and the Non-governmental Forum.
Mr. Chairman,
The contemporary global order today remains in a state of flux. It is marked by several worrying trends and developments. On the normative front, the principles of the UN Charter are being gradually eroded. The value of multilateralism is being questioned
There is a growing tendency to resort to unilateral use of force and intervention against other States. Coercion and threats have emerged again as the main currency in the management of inter-state disputes.
Peace and prosperity in Asia is threatened by emerging friction between major powers and rising tensions in South, East and West Asia.
The legitimate struggle for self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir continues to be brutally suppressed and we are grateful to President Erdogan of Turkey for speaking out today in support of the Kashmiri people calling for resolution of the long-outstanding international dispute.
Mr. Chairman,
Today, the Middle East is affected by war and violence. Although Daesh appears to have been weakened in Iraq and Syria, terrorist violence has spread more broadly.
Racist and religious hatred especially Islamophobia is on the rise. Even as our world becomes increasingly interdependent, it is accompanied by psychological barriers between nations and peoples.
International cooperation is therefore, an imperative in order to address poverty, disease, climate change, nuclear proliferation, terrorism and forced displacement. It must intensify.
We believe CICA has the potential to address some of these challenges to peace, security, and development.
Mr. Chairman,
Terrorism remains one of the major global security threats today. This phenomenon knows no border, no religion and no nationality. It affects us all.
Pakistan has executed one of the most successful counter terrorism campaigns in the world. No country can match Pakistan’s efforts, sacrifices and achievements in the face of this international scourge.
We believe enhanced international cooperation is vital for an effective counter terrorism strategy. We must also earnestly address the root causes of this phenomenon. It is in the interest of all States to refrain from grandstanding and politicization in order to combat terrorism effectively.
Mr. Chairman,
The long fight against international terrorism has highlighted a major gap. This entails an exclusive focus of the current UN sanctions regime on Al-Qaeda, Daesh and their affiliates. There are a growing number of individuals and organizations that have carried out acts of terrorism but remain outside the present scope of UN sanctions. It is time to cast a wider net and hold them accountable under international law.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan has always called for all States to comply with the provisions of the UN Charter and international law to resolve disputes and promote peace.
Guided by these ideals and values, Pakistan wishes to shape a political discourse and vision in South Asia, based on dialogue, confidence building and peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes.
We will also continue to work towards realization of a common vision of security, sustainable development and shared prosperity across the CICA region and beyond, in line with the theme of this Summit.
Thank you.
For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk