ISLAMABAD, May 23: President Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that as a result of tough but prudent and pragmatic decisions, the government had ensured that internal security threat in the country “is minimized” and Pakistan “is well on its way to progress and development”. The president said this following a presentation on “internal security strategy” at the National Defence College here on Monday.

He said necessary measures were being taken to ensure that the country’s security situation remained stable and under control. “The objective is to have conducive and secure environment for economic progress and nation-building.” He said the government was committed to sustained economic growth through industrialization and promotion of agro-based economy. “After having checked rise in poverty, efforts are now in hand to reduce poverty, control inflation and price hike. This could help control extremism and give voice to a wide majority of people who are mainly moderates,” he said.

The president said that the world was keenly watching Pakistan’s internal security scene. He expressed the hope that the “vast majority” will reject the fringe elements of extremism and bring forth moderate, genuine and patriotic leadership to serve the nation. Earlier, participants of the National Defence Course presented a paper which critically analyzed the internal security environment in the country along with a comprehensive response strategy.

The president appreciated the quality of the “National Strategy Paper” and said that he was pleased that the curricula profile of the college was keeping pace with the changing environment and measuring up to the challenges of security and modern warfare. On arrival at the NDC, the president was received by the Commandant Lieutenant-General Shahid Hamid, chief instructor of national defence and war wings and faculty members of the institution.

Federal ministers, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Kaleem Saadat and a large number of senior serving armed forces officers attended the presentation. —APP