ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that externally-sponsored terrorism and violent extremism are grave threats to a secure and prosperous Pakistan.

Speaking at the Pakistani envoys conference in the federal capital, Nawaz stressed “the nation is dismayed by the recent irresponsible and, I must say, imprudent statements from the Indian political leadership”.

This vitiates the atmosphere and takes us farther away from our goals of regional peace and stability, he asserted.

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“We will protect our vital interests at all costs. This message must be heard loud and clear. At the same time, we will not abandon our high moral ground because of provocations,” said the premier.

Nawaz assured that Pakistan will persevere in its quest for a peaceful neighborhood, but demanded that there should be reciprocity and acknowledgement of the overtures it have made to promote the bilateral dialogue process.

Pakistan is a strong proponent of regional economic integration so that we can together create new opportunities for jobs, businesses, industrial production, and agricultural growth, said the prime minister. “We believe that Pakistan is both a conduit and a destination for investment, trade, production and distribution… Pakistan is now recognized as an emerging market with immense potential.”

He spoke of the recently announced China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) mega-project as a transformational, and a game changer for Pakistan and for the region.

“It would, in due course, also benefit adjoining and peripheral regions,” added Nawaz.

This project will build the Gwadar Port as the regional trans-shipment pivot, supported by a network of roads, railway lines, power plants, industrial zones, pipelines and fiber optic cables. The CPEC would make Pakistan a hub for trans-regional commerce and industry.

Talking about the western neighbours, the premier said “Pakistan and Afghanistan have moved closer, thanks to the joint efforts being made by the leadership of the two countries”.

Nawaz said he had told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last month that "the enemies of Afghanistan cannot be friends of Pakistan. And there are no good and bad terrorists, we will fight them all”.

Security situation of the country

Nawaz said the government is giving highest priority to security and energy to ensure that the country continues to move on the path to economic revival, inclusive growth and social development.

“Operation Zarb-i-Azb has already taken down terrorists' networks, disrupted their command and control system, and debilitated their supporting infrastructure. We are succeeding; but it is still a long haul, as we take on all kinds of ethnic, communal and sectarian violence. This is an all-out war against all forms of violence, said the premier.

The government will spare nobody as it has choked financing for terrorism and sectarian violence; and disable terrorists' logistical support systems, he stressed.

Relationship with Saarc countries

Talking about the Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries, Nawaz said that “we must advance our vision of economic cohesion by constructing physical infrastructure, reviving and reinforcing transportation networks, building energy corridors, and developing transit hubs”.

Pakistan will give full support to cross-regional projects focusing on energy and water security, value addition, research, science and technology, and modernisation, he added.

Pakistani ambassadors from 14 countries deputed to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) regions participated in the conference. The conference focused and deliberated upon foreign policy challenges faced by Pakistan in its immediate and extended neighborhood, in light of recent developments within the region.