http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?163738
Pak rejects machinations that link terrorism to Islam: Aziz Thursday December 21, 2006 (0415 PST) ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday said Pakistan and Bahrain are allies in confronting the specter of terrorism because it is a threat to all faiths and societies and we reject terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. "We also reject those machinations that link terrorism to Islam, a faith of peace and compassion. The need of the time is to bridge this perilous divide between Islam and the West through inter-faith harmony and inter-civilizational understanding," he observed this while addressing the Banquet he hosted in honor of Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Forces. The premier said it is also incumbent upon the international community to address the root causes of terrorism, and facilitate just and lasting resolution of longstanding conflicts in the Muslim world, such as Palestine and Kashmir. On the other hand, reformation of Muslim societies through education and social reforms is also of paramount importance. In pursuit of these objectives, President Musharraf has advocated the concept of "enlightened moderation" and we have called for grater unity within the Muslim Ummah in order to meet the challenges that we face today. He went on to say that Pakistan attaches great importance to a secure and stable Middle East. We believe that this cannot be achieved without a just solution of the Palestinian issue. We urge the international community to facilitate an early resolution of this festering conflict, and to help improve the economic conditions in the Palestinian territories. The deteriorating security situation in Iraq is source of great concern to us in Pakistan. It is our hope that the incumbent government of Iraq would be able to unite all factions of the Iraqi society, and would bring stability and security for the people of Iraq. The international community has a common stake in the unity, national reconciliation and territorial integrity of Iraq. The prime minister said Pakistan strongly favours peace, security and prosperity in the gulf region. We welcome the decisions of the GCC summit held recently and will continue to work with our brothers in the gulf countries for our mutual interests. In our region, he said Pakistan remains committed to the process of confidence building with our neighbor, India. Kashmir remains the core dispute between the two countries and requires a solution based on the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. We firmly believe that progress on all contentious issues, including Kashmir, must move in tandem with the other efforts directed towards normalization of relations between Pakistan and India. On our Western borders, a strong and stable Afghanistan is of strategic importance to us. We will continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening peace, harmony and development in Afghanistan. The international community must also live up to its commitments to ensure reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in Afghanistan. It must also help in efforts to eradiate the drug menace in Afghanistan. He also said that Pakistan is keen to further expand its fraternal relations with Bahrain and raise them to a higher plane for the mutual benefit of our two countries. "We are cognizant of the enormous potential for greater bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investments, joint business ventures defence, culture and education , among others," he observed. He said: "I take this opportunity to express our admiration for the far-reaching achievements of Bahrain in the fields of economy, education and tourism. This indeed is based on the vision for progress and prosperity that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has lad out for Bahrain. His Majesty's sagacious leadership has made Bahrain an open, enlightened and pluralistic country. We in Pakistan compliment the dedicated efforts being made in the Kingdom to empower women, promote the welfare of youth and to create equal opportunities for all sections of the society." In Pakistan as well, our government has implemented board-based multi-sectoral reforms that have repositioned and revitalized Pakistan on the world stage. Pakistan, he said is a strong and stable country endowed with rich human and material resources, with a population of 160 million people and a growing middle class. Our strategic location at the confluence of three vital regions of Asia enables us to play a pre-eminent role and maintain strong links with our Arab and Muslim brothers from West Asia to Central Asia. Our economic reforms over the past seven years have ensured an average annual growth of 7% , which makes Pakistan one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. As a result our per capita income has growth while poverty levels have fallen. At the same time our exports have risen along with an unprecedented increase in Foreign Direct Investment. Consequently, Pakistan's upward growth trajectory offers vast opportunities for trade, investment and joint ventures between Pakistan and Bahrain. +++ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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