Pakistan committed to maintaining regional peace: Khar

Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar has said Pakistan is fully committed to maintaining peace and economic stability in the region.
“This commitment is on top of the country’s foreign policy objectives being pursued in larger national interest,” she added.
Talking to a private news channel, Khar said the top priority of the democratic government was to project the soft image of the country in the world.
She said during the tenure of the current government, Pakistan emerged as a matured democratic state and main peace facilitator in the region.
She said the international community recognised the economic losses incurred and the sacrifices given by Pakistan during the war on terror. “We will continue the fight against terrorism to save the world from this menace,” she added.
To a question, Khar said friendly countries had supported Pakistan in fighting terrorism and extremism, which had affected the whole region.
“The menace of terrorism and extremism has not only affected Pakistan’s social fabric but also its trade and economy by scaring away foreign investors,” she added.
The foreign minister said Pakistan wanted a peaceful and stable Afghanistan according to the wishes of its people.
“Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence with the neighbouring country for maintaining regional integration,” she added.
To another question, Khar said the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project was in the national interest as it would help overcome the energy crisis in the country and “there was no chance of any country imposing sanctions on Pakistan in this regard”. Khar said drone attacks were counter-productive and illegal, and against international law.