ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has reacted strongly to a statement made by United States President Barack Obama that both Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the countries that would continue to face instability and turmoil for decades.
"Whatever the US president said about instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan are his predictions and have nothing to do with ground realities," Aziz told a breakfast meeting with Chinese scholars, diplomats and media persons organised by a think thank here on Friday.
In his last State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Obama had warned: “Instability will continue for decades in many parts of the world – in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in parts of central America, Africa and Asia,” he said.
Read: Pakistan among states that will face turmoil for decades: Obama
“Some of these places may become safe havens for new terrorist networks; others will fall victim to ethnic conflict, or famine, feeding the next wave of refugees.”
Disagreeing with Obama in his address, the adviser said, "Pakistan is taking decisive action against terrorism and militancy and days to come will witness more stability here."
As far as Afghanistan is concerned, Aziz said, "instability exists but Pakistan is making all out efforts for establishing peace and stability there."
Speaking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Aziz said Pakistan would foil all sinister designs against this project.
CPEC will help Pakistan overcome energy crisis, and projects related to CPEC will infuse new life in the infrastructure, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.
Answering a question, the adviser said there was no competition between Chabahar port in Iran and Gwadar port and the two ports have been declared "sister ports".
"Gwadar provides a shorter route to Central Asia than Chabahar," Aziz remarked.
Referring to the expected India-Pakistan foreign secretaries talks, he said both countries are in touch and new dates for the talks would be finalised soon.
