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National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua said Friday that the perception that Pakistan is a dangerous country at the "centre of global terrorism" is far from the reality.
"The world thinks we are interfering in Afghanistan... [that] our economy is damaged... [that] we are playing a double-game regarding the Taliban... [that] Pakistan's nuclear assets are not protected," he said, adding that the true picture of Pakistan was not being presented adequately before the world.
In fact, "Pakistan is a beautiful country with countless honeymoon resorts", he said.
'Raheel Sharif will not lead a Sunni alliance'
Speaking about the appointment of former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif as the head of a Saudi military alliance, Janjua said Sharif is "not going to lead a Sunni alliance".
Noting that Saudi Arabia had chosen the countries for the military alliance, Janjua said that Gen Sharif is nonetheless an equal friend of Iran and will not act against its interests.
It cannot be said when the Islamic military alliance will start functioning, he said.
'Baseless allegations'
The national security adviser said it is "unfortunate" that allegations had been hurled against Pakistan without ascertaining the facts.
"Did Pakistan form Al Qaeda and Daesh?" he asked, using the Arabic acronym for the militant Islamic State (IS).
Janjua also said Pakistan has fought for Afghanistan's existence, adding: "We have been confronting difficulties [in this regard] for the past 40 years."
He said Pakistan had never played a double-game regarding militants, and said the Pakistanis had been exploited by the Taliban in the name of jihad.
"[And] when Pakistan acted against the Taliban, they issued a fatwa condoning jihad against Pakistan," he said.
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Comments (30) Closed
Apr 07, 2017 03:27pm
Janjua a true NSA.
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Apr 07, 2017 03:37pm
Perception is every thing in the world controlled by easy access media. We should improve our image by using the media imaginatively. However, ultimately facts will always remain facts. Therefore, lets conduct a self critique and try to improve our economy, governance and strong leadership. A rudderless ship is bound to have problems.
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Apr 07, 2017 03:39pm
What has led the world to think negatively about the "land of the pure?" There must be some reality in it. Don't you think so? Why don't they think the same way about Peru, Paraguay and Panama? A thought to ponder into for everybody.
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Apr 07, 2017 03:48pm
@Mahmud FULLY AGREED
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Apr 07, 2017 03:52pm
With all due respect there are certain facts that is visible to the world. OBL was found in pak and the world disagrees to believe that Pak did not know about it.
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Apr 07, 2017 03:59pm
'Bad Reputation'?
You mean there is no corruption, nepotism, injustice, and other misdeeds associated with our leadership?
Ok, we stand corrected. Pakistan is a model that rest of the world should emulate. Wonderful!
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Apr 07, 2017 04:05pm
Thanks for clearing our misconceptions about Pakistan.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:08pm
The best way to change the perception is to strengthen the rule of law and justice within country like U.K and USA where Muslims , Jews, , Christian , Hindu and Sikhs etc feel secured and protected and not terrified.
Implement local governance structure at all cost and support it at any level.
Maintain international power and work on economic prosperity with zero tolerance and hunt down talent both locally and internationally will see a change in perception.
Build out strong public institutions by setting. Up powerful governance boards from private sector and public partnerships e.g. NAB board by big 4 accounting firms, judiciary by promoting international exposure and know how effective etc.
Kick politicians out who disrespect state institutions and down play them.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:09pm
Sir we have to make this a secular democratic and educated country, then the world will respect us.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:09pm
If pakistan wants its image to improve it has to take tough action against terrorists.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:11pm
The perception is correct as being a 200 million country why the majority live in poverty and some powerful and ruling class make policy to the detriment of the interest of the country.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:15pm
@Anupam: The fact which had always been refused to accept is, unless Pakistani authorities were given the DNA proof of the dead body being that of ObL, the mere statement of him being the one, would always remain dubious. Remember ObL was known to be seriously ill since before 9/11 and was on regular dialysis.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:18pm
@Anupam , you have no idea the psyche of Taliban and don't know their brutality and it is easy for you people to criticize Pakistan and its policies. These problems start when USA invaded Afghanistan and America will retreat from Afghanistan but Pakistan is a neighbor of Afghanistan which cannot be replaced and we have to make arrangements for our own survival as well. As far as OBL is concern then no body knows what happened to him and the operation in which he was reportedly killed also skeptical.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:22pm
Let's not run away from truth, with words filled with fanciful illusion. For world, there is no smoke without fire. There is immediate need to fix these problems. Not only are they affecting other nations and our international image but also affecting common people in Pakistan. Government need to take these seriously and stop deep state policy. Forge friendships, and focus on integrated economy. This century race is about economy not war or terrorism. The quicker we realise it, the better.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:25pm
His statement is true to a certain degree. Terrorist attack rates have decreased significantly, although, frequent suicide bombings and attacks occur a few times a year. However, Pakistan hasn't done anything to improve their tainted representation in media. Pakistan needs to re-prioritize its interests so that the needs of the people are meant. Not to mention, this decreases poverty rates, increases literacy rates, and boosts the economy as well. Priority, in this case, serves as a confounding variable that will bring out positive impacts throughout the country. But both the provincial and federal governments need to realize this and fulfill the needs of the people as that is the purpose of a governmental body, apart from national defense, healthcare, etc.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:30pm
@Secular Pathan true, but please do not follow Secularism of India. It's a bad experience. Give appeasement to economically weaker section. They will always be obliged to you. Do not appease coastwise.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:39pm
That is not the issue, but if there is even the remotest of truth on what is being ascribed towards you, don't excuse yourselves by thinking that the world is exaggerating so you will have no responsibility in trying to remove even that remotest of thing that is there.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:46pm
Sir may God reward you for speaking the truth in front of my nation.
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Apr 07, 2017 04:55pm
This man is a genius. He is a true patriot. I hope in the next election he becomes a foreign minister.
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Apr 07, 2017 05:02pm
@Anupam nearly all the German war criminals were found living in South America and even in USA. Why don't we treat them the same.
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Apr 07, 2017 05:21pm
We will need to earn respect of the world community instead of demanding it. The government needs to discover the causes behind the bad reputation and misunderstandings and then work towards addressing them in a positive and proactive manner.
Our security and credibility will be enhanced if we are perceived as a peaceful and progressive nation by the world community. The starting point would be to establish law and order at home, formulate and implement policies to establish free market economy so that the country can realize its full economic potential, reform the judicial system and formulate a foreign policy which is consistent , balanced and impartial to serve long term national interests instead of quick fixes.
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Apr 07, 2017 05:32pm
The world doesn't look at words, it looks at actions & ground reality.
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Apr 07, 2017 05:39pm
It is something others have to say, we can't keep saying we are good, we are good, the proof is in the pudding.
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Apr 07, 2017 06:17pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad . Your selection of 'P' countries is interesting! The world is not stupid. Media can only fool the common people but those who explore for facts can't be fooled. Democracy is good only so far as it is used to benefit the public and the country. Unfortunately in Pakistan democracy is a business. Invest in getting elected then get 100 times return on investment. Keep the public illiterate , diseased and hungry so that they don't have the strength for fight back. Destroy and corrupt all institutions so there is no accountability.We need a saviour in any form who can deliver honestly. Enough is enough.
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Apr 07, 2017 07:16pm
@Mahmud
Fully agree with.
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Apr 07, 2017 07:38pm
Sure, Pakistan is not a dangerous country to live in for those belonging to the Talibans, the JI, the LeJ and their brothers. It is not a dangerous country for the ruling politicians. For the rest of the people, just recite Sura Yasin before leaving your home in the morning so that if you do not come back alive you may be safe in your grave.
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Apr 07, 2017 07:47pm
Gen. Janjua, why should world take Pakistan seriously, when the country willingly became a paid watchman, a mercenary to fight someone else's war. Services of a mercenary are never appreciated.
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Apr 07, 2017 08:13pm
@Ayub: Still the fault lies with the poor majority of the 200 mn. who vote and perpetuate these tried and tested goons, again and again.
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Apr 07, 2017 08:46pm
Pakistan gets bad rep because our representatives are bad people. Period.
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Apr 09, 2017 04:47am
@Mahmud
Yes, I agree. To add more to your list, education should become a priority. Higher education standards will promote well-informed citizens and Pakistan could definitely use some of that in the near future.
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