ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (APP): Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has asked Germany to play its role in devising a global strategy to address the menace of terrorism and extremism confronting world security and stability.
Talking to German Defence Minister Dr Ursla von der Leyen who called on him, he said international community should take measures to do away with the discriminatory attitude
towards Muslims, since they were the worst hit by the terrorism and extremism, and associating terrorism with Islam was a sheer injustice, said a press release.
Referring to Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors, the speaker said that Pakistan strongly believed in cordial relations with its neighboring countries. A stable and prosperous Afghanistan was in the best interest of the region and the world, he added.
He said that political and military leadership of both the countries were in constant contact and issues confronting peace in the region were being regularly discussed. He appreciated German forces for their role in maintaining law and order in Afghanistan.
The speaker also called for German support for resolution of international outstanding disputes including issues of Palestine and Kashmir. Kashmir was the flash point for regional peace which needs to be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions and aspirations of
the people of Kashmir.
He also called for international condemnation of Israel for committing worst atrocities against innocent Palestinian citizens.The Speaker said that Pakistan had been fighting menace of terrorism for more than a decade and had suffered immense economic loss besides loss of precious human lives and damage to infrastructure.
He said that present government was committed to root out terrorism from the country and had launched a military operation, being supported by all the political forces.
He also informed the German Defence Minister about drastic legislative measures that had been adopted for expeditious prosecution of the terrorists and for creating deterrence against
heinous crimes against humanity.
German Defence Minister Dr. Ursla von der Leyen had said that Germany acknowledged Pakistan’s significant role for its peace initiatives in the region and extended her government’s support in that regard.
She said that Germany also appreciated resilience and courage exhibited by the people of Pakistan and their sacrifices rendered in the war against terrorism. She agreed that global peace was at threat due to terrorism for which joint efforts were imperative.
She said that Pakistan was playing a vital role in development and peace in Afghanistan by hosting Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad and expressed her hope that outcome of the conference would help stakeholders to form future plan of action in that regard.
The German Defence Minister thanked Speaker for the kind hospitality extended to her during her visit to Pakistan. Parliamentary interaction between Germany and Pakistan needs to be enhanced for bringing people and legislatures of both the countries more closer.
She said that German Government would extend its all-out support for addressing the root causes of terrorism in the region.
