KARACHI: Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security Dr. Moeed Yusuf on Wednesday, said the government is pursuing economic security which ultimately will contribute to national security and human welfare. He was speaking on “Pakistan’s Future Direction” on the invitation of English Speaking Union of Pakistan at Beach Luxury Hotel, President ESUP Aziz Memon, SVP Kalim Farooqui, VP, Tariq Ikran, Secretary Majyd Aziz, diplomats from the USA, Japan, Iran, Russia, Chairman Avari Group, Byram Avari, and a large number of ESUP members were also present.
The Security Advisor said, “Now the case of national security is the economic security and human welfare.” There was a dire need to ensure macro-economic security for further strengthening military security and human welfare. The ultimate goal of national security was the maximum empowerment of the people, he said.
He further said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had presented a new vision of “Riasat Madina” for the country where the average citizens felt secured and that one’s welfare was ensured.
Pakistan’s national policy had shifted to geo-economic policy from geostrategic policy, he said, “Now, we are working on a comprehensive national security policy centered on economic security.” On Afghanistan’s situation, the PM’s Advisor said the world should remain engaged till a viable political solution was found ensuring representation of the entire Afghan people and guaranteeing human rights, especially of the women. Stable Afghanistan was a must for the entire region, rather than the entire world. Otherwise, a spell of instability could be expected and the world would definitely suffer. “We cannot afford unstably and burning Afghanistan. Pakistan has no option to disengage,” he remarked adding that Pakistan had a 2600 km long border with Afghanistan and there could be mass migration. He hoped the world would not repeat that big mistake about Afghanistan, it did after 9/11.
A peaceful and stable Afghanistan would help Pakistan establish connectivity with Central Asia and other neighboring countries. Gwadar Port and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s importance would also increase with this enhanced regional connectivity. A second major challenge to the government was to promote real partnership with the world in trade, investment, and social sectors. CPEC would help also to establish connectivity eastwards but, he regretted, India’s negative attitude and hostility hampered the process. Dr. Moeed Yusuf said the third major goal before the government was to ensure internal and regional peace. The last but not least important part of the national security was to build and promote positive perception for Pakistan. Earlier, he mentioned, India along with the immediate past government in Afghanistan had been creating a negative perception in an attempt to isolate Pakistan, that mainly aimed at weakening our economy. The overall scenario to him was, to move in the right direction in the light of the Doha accord, Dr. Moeed concluded.
To a question, the National Security Advisor said at present Pakistan could establish normal trade with Afghanistan.
