Modi will certainly visit Pakistan next year: Aziz
Date : 09-03-2015
 |
Says Jaishankar's trip paves way for next secretary-level meeting | Ummah must fight extremism, terrorism jointly
ISLAMABAD - Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ‘certainly visit’ Pakistan next year.
"We are fully hopeful that the Indian prime minister will come to Pakistan for the SAARC summit," Sartaj Aziz told reporters in Islamabad after a conference of the Muslim Think Tanks Forum of Islamic Countries.
He said foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India could meet again though there was no breakthrough during Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's talks here.
Sartaj Aziz said that his country wants to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including Kashmir, through dialogue. Aziz said despite no breakthrough there was headway for the next meeting between two foreign secretaries.
He said Pakistan Foreign Secretary will visit India when his counterpart invites him for resumption of dialogue. Aziz said there is a need for comprehensive dialogue process between the two countries to remove lack of trust and address all outstanding issues.
"Our foreign secretary would visit India whenever they invite us," he said and emphasised that there should be progress and both sides should explore ways to make progress on confidence building measures.
Aziz viewed the lack of trust between Pakistan and India as a major issue and said there would be progress on other issues if trust is gradually restored.
Responding to a question, Aziz said both the civilian and military leadership are on the same page and cooperating with each other on all issues, especially in war against terrorism.
To another question, Sartaj Aziz said dates for Chinese President's visit to Pakistan are being finalised.
On Afghanistan, the Adviser said there has been progress on the reconciliation between Afghan Taliban and the government. He said Pakistan is ready to help and facilitate Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Aziz said President Mamoon Hussain will undertake an official visit to Azerbaijan to promote economic, security, cultural and people to people ties. He said Pakistan wants investment from Azerbaijan in various fields, especially in energy sector.
Addressing second session of the 6th Think Tanks Forum of Islamic Countries, Sartaj Aziz urged the Muslim world to jointly fight extremism and terrorism and laid stress on resolution of political disputes, including Palestine and Kashmir, for world peace and harmony.
Aziz said Muslim Ummah needs to forge its unity to face challenges of extremism and terrorism and settle political disputes.
He said there is need to change the perception of Islam in the world and it needs joint efforts by the think tanks of the Muslim world. He said resolution of disputes like Palestine and Kashmir, which are the most important issues, can change the perception of the Muslims in the world.
Aziz said stability in Middle East and African Muslim countries through resolving political disputes and increasing development would also pave the way for the unity and strength of the Muslim Ummah.
Aziz said that out of the many challenges that the Muslim countries face, the issue of intellectual development is of critical importance. He said the Muslim world faces common challenges, thus they must work in collaboration with each other to overcome these. He added that it is time that Muslims build resilient scientific, intellectual and academic partnerships with the rest of the world.
The sessions that followed discussed Non-Traditional Security Threats in Muslim Countries where the speakers examined the relevant issues in detail and put forth their suggestions to deal with the challenges. They stressed that multilateral cooperation among all Muslim countries is of utmost importance and issues such as terrorism, climate change and human trafficking must be dealt with seriously. The speakers further discussed the opportunities and risks in the defense and space industry and cooperation for nuclear proliferation.
Addressing the forum Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said the best brains from across the Muslim world have gathered here to discuss the various issues that the Muslim world faces today. He said, "The issues being discussed at this forum may be specific to the Muslim world, but to deal with them it is necessary to build coalitions and partnerships collaborate with other nations, religious communities and regions too."
Senator Mushahid also announced that the Think-Tanks Forum for Islamic Countries would now be renamed as the 'World Islamic Forum', with its international secretariat in Istanbul and Asian regional secretariat in Islamabad, to be hosted by Pakistan-China Institute.
Senate Chairman Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, while addressing the closing ceremony of the forum, said, "In the wake of newly emerging threats, there is a dire need for Muslim countries to sit together and deliberate on the multi-faceted challenges that they face."
The 6th Think Tank Forum of the Islamic Countries also issued the 'Islamabad Declaration’ to mark the conclusion of the conference. The forum reiterated its resolve to institutionalise the World Islamic Forum (WIF) as the voice of Muslim intellectuals, opinion leaders and thinkers.
The Forum would also hold a 'Muslim Women's Summit’ in Kuala Lumpur in September 2015, while the next WIF will be hosted by Iran. In addition, a permanent Steering Committee was established to prepare an action plan for the WIF, which will include Senator Mushahid Hussain and TASAM Chairman Suleyman Sensoy.
"The Islamic World Istanbul Awards" were given this year for the first time, in order to promote and honour the successful people and institutions which are showing excellence and professionalism in their respective fields in the Islamic World.
The Award Ceremony was held at the Islamabad Serena Hotel during the 6th Islamic Think Tanks Forum where President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest. Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was also given the Istanbul Special Islamic Award for demonstrating leadership in the struggle against terrorism with clarity, commitment and courage as chief of the Pakistan Army.