Look at Pakistan with a fresh perspective: Aizaz

• ‘Pakistan will not let its soil be used to launch or even plan attack against any other country’

Pakistan Ambassador to US Aizaz Chaudhry has said that Pakistan has made tremendous progress on security and economic fronts and is on the path of a sustainable economic development.

He was talking to a six-member delegation of the American journalists who called on him before undertaking upcoming visit to Pakistan organised by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ). Aizaz said that perceptions about Pakistan were trailing behind and there was a need to look at Pakistan with a fresh perspective.

On the occasion, Ambassador Aizaz briefed the American journalists from various media organisations about the tremendous sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and the tangible results achieved on ground.

He said that the Zarb-e-Azab as a successful military campaign has helped in clearing adjoining areas near Pak-Afghan border. The results of counterterrorism operations have salutary impact on the economy as all economic indicators were pointing upwards. In Pakistan, investment was flowing from the US and other countries, he said.

Ambassador Aizaz reiterated that Pakistan has unwavering commitment to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan would not let its soil be used to launch or even plan attack against any other country in the region.

Commenting on Pakistan-US bilateral relations, the ambassador said that both Pakistan and the US by working together for decades have benefitted. “We believe that Pakistan and the US should continue working together in future as well,” he said.

Responding to a question on Afghanistan, he remarked that peace in Afghanistan was imperative for the peace in the entire region. History bears testimony to the fact that instability in Afghanistan always has a spillover effect in other countries of the region particularly Pakistan, he said.

“Pakistan will actively take part along with other partners in finding out a political solution to the Afghan issue,” he said. The ambassador greatly appreciated efforts of the ICFJ in organising exchange programmes of journalists, sponsored by the US State Department.

ICFJ takes American journalists to Pakistan and invites Pakistani journalists to the US on regular basis. Such exchange initiatives promote harmony and better understanding about different cultures and faiths and bring people closer to each other, he concluded.