Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz has said that ending of terrorism and maintenance of good governance are essential for economic revival of the country.
In an interview on Sunday‚ he said dialogue with the Taliban was the government’s first priority and the PML-N was seeking support of all political parties in this regard.
Sartaj Aziz said peace and stability in the region was inevitable for economic development and prosperity in the country.
He said the National Security Council would provide a platform for collective thinking and involvement of all stakeholders to discuss vital issues of national security.
He said the council would discuss both conventional and non-conventional threats faced by the country. He said Pakistan was a responsible nuclear state with secure command and control system.
Sartaj Aziz said that image of the country had improved due to democratically elected government and vibrant media.
He said Pakistan wanted to maintain good relations with India for economic stability and peace in the region.
He said meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be held in New York.
The advisor said Pakistan also wanted to improve its relations with the United States and was interested in starting strategic dialogue between the two countries.
To a question‚ Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan was making all out efforts to facilitate Afghan reconciliation process. The advisor further added that Pakistan had followed the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan.
He said improving economic and trade relations and peace in the neighboring country was top priority of the government.