Pakistan is courageously fighting a difficult fight against terrorism

WASHINGTON: Pakistan is courageously fighting a difficult fight against terrorism as it wants stability in the region and economic development of its people, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan said.

The governor was speaking at an Iftar dinner hosted at the Pakistani embassy for him and Nazim Karachi, Syed Mustafa Kamal. Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani welcomed the visiting officials at the reception, attended by prominent members of Pakistani-American community, American scholars and writers.

Since 2008, the political government has been striving to deal with some very tough challenges, Dr Ebad stated. Recently, he informed the gathering, Pakistan handled the unprecedented crisis of displaced people of Swat as it continues to contend with problems associated with the 1980s fight against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the current fight against terrorism.

He said Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices in the ongoing struggle against violent extremism and hundreds of its soldiers laid down their lives in the effort along Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The governor of the second largest Pakistani province said an overwhelming majority of the people across the country are moderate and only a small minority espouses militant policies.

However, he made it clear bracketing of Pakistan with Afghanistan is unacceptable for the Pakistani people.

‘We have conveyed a very strong message that emotions of Pakistani people have been disturbed by the (so-called) Af-Pak policy, equating Pakistan and Afghanistan. We have expressed concern over that,” the governor said, citing interactions he and Kamal have had with U.S. think tanks in Washington.

Pakistan, he said, wants trade, not aid, and is resolved to make best use of its pivotal strategic location at the heart of Central Asian and Gulf regions.

Dr Ebad commended Ambassador Haqqani’s dedication to promoting and defending Pakistan’s interests in the United States, saying he heard words of appreciation for the envoy’s efforts during his numerous interactions in Washington.

He also spoke of Sindh’s role in the stability and development of Pakistan and remarked that Nazim Mustafa Kamal has set an example of development for other cities by pursuing focused policies.

Welcoming the governor and the nazim of the largest Pakistani city Karachi, Ambassador Haqqani said Pakistan and the United States will foster long-term relations and said all parts of the country have ties with the United States through multifaceted cooperation.