Pakistan among biggest victims of state-sponsored terrorism: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan has been the biggest victim of state-sponsored terrorism by hostile intelligence agencies.

In an interview to Tom O’Connor of the Newsweek, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan was one of the biggest victims of state-sponsored terrorism planned, supported and financed by hostile intelligence agencies. He said that the foreign policy of Pakistan was of friendliness and goodwill towards all nations.

He said that the coalition government would keep working on national agenda of economic reforms and stabilization as the top-most priority. He also said that the only way forwards is that the system becomes strong, adding that all parties must agree to the minimum rules in which the welfare of the people holds significance.

PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan would happily play positive role to bridge US-China relations as it had done in the past but only if the two desire so.

He said that the terrorist activities were aimed to undermine Pakistan’s economy and destabilize it. He added that the involvement of foreign hand in spreading of terrorism in Pakistan was evident after the capture of active duty spy Kulbhushan Jadhav from Balochistan and his confessions.

The PM told the interviewer that the terrorist attacks against Chinese nationals were aided by forces that are against Pak-China partnership and these forces didn’t want development and prosperity in Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif also said that Pakistan’s relationship with China was very special. He also spoke of ‘historic bilateral relations’ with the US. He emphasized upon constructive engagement for promotion of peace, security, development and connectivity in the region.

The premier said in the interview that the socio-economic well-being of developing countries was suffering. He added that these countries did not desire worsening of their conditions exacerbated by greater power rivalry.

He further said that cooperation should be the main driver of international relations and not confrontation.

He urged the international community to engage Afghan government and assist it in social and economic areas. Talking about Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan would continue to impress upon the interim Afghan government the importance of human rights, education and effective counter-terrorism actions.