Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the global community to support Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terror.Addressing the launch of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2008, he reiterated the government’s stance that feelings of injustice, deprivation and lack of opportunities spawned terrorism. “The global community needs to pay more attention to eliminate these problems,” he said, adding that Pakistan was dedicated to fighting terrorism and extremism in all its forms. “We would like the international community to support our efforts as our government evolves a strategy that has better chances to bring peace,” he added.
The first IDEAS exhibition was held in 2002 and attracted a large number of buyers from various countries. This yearÂ’s exhibition would be held at the Karachi Expo Centre from November 24 to November 28, and it expected to attract defence ministers, heads of armed forces, foreign exhibitors and trade visitors from various countries.
Frontline state: Gilani praised Pakistan’s progress towards developing indigenous capabilities for producing sophisticated weaponry. He also highlighted Pakistan’s geo-strategic location and said the country was a frontline state in the current global security environment. “We are spearheading a collective struggle against a new threat to world peace,” he said, referring to terrorism.
He said that while terrorism posed a serious threat to international peace, it was also detrimental to Pakistan’s national interest. “War against terrorism is our own war. We have lost our great leader Benazir Bhutto. We have lost countless innocent children and youth, men and women,” he said. He praised Pakistanis for supporting the government in its fight against terrorism and extremism.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Tariq Majeed and the vice chief of Air Staff were also present at the launch ceremony.