National security linked with inclusive development, equitable growth: PM Khan

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said that national security could not be ensured unless the inclusive development and equitable growth of all segments of society, provinces, and people was established.

While addressing the opening session of Margalla Dialogue 2021 in Islamabad, the Premier said that the uplift of underprivileged segment of the society was critical to ensure across the board national security.

“Pakistan faced the biggest collateral damage in the Afghan war as it is the only country in the US's  alliance which suffered more than eighty thousand casualties, displacement of millions of people and over one hundred billion rupees loss to the economy,” he added.      

At the inaugural ceremony of the annual Margalla Dialogue, Khan further said, “Unequal distribution of resources leads to anarchy among the people who are left out of the mainstream development”.

“Rule of law and equality for all were the preconditions for democracy,” he stressed. 

He regretted that Pakistan had suffered an inequality due to three simultaneous educational systems, namely English and Urdu medium schools, and the madrassas.

“The differences in educational standards of the systems resulted in three different kinds of generations with discrimination in opportunities of jobs,” Prime Minister pointed out.

Imran Khan also pointed out that corruption, particularly of the elite, was detrimental to the development of a country.

He further emphasized the importance of research by the think tanks of the country to counter the negative propaganda in the world. 

“Research leads to original thinking within a society. You have to define yourself instead of letting others define you,” he said.

He said lack of in-depth research led to reliance on second-hand information by the western think tanks on important issues such as Afghanistan.

The prime minister said Pakistan was blamed for wrong reasons by the international community, whereas it remained mum on the atrocities committed by India in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Imran Khan said Pakistan in fact had a beautiful and positive face being the home of generous and hospitable people.

On Islamophobia, he said, a strong response by Muslim think tanks was important to nullify the impression of Islam’s linkage with terrorism. 

SOURCE: APP