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ISLAMABAD, May 25: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday underlined the need for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, saying it would help tap the tremendous economic potential of South Asia to the benefit of its peoples. “The potential is there, the need is to seize the moment,” he told an Indian business delegation in reference to the ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India.
The president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Onkar S. Kanwar, headed the Indian delegation while members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry were also present.
He said Pakistan and India were part of the region with tremendous potential but noted that amity between its two major members was essential for the seven-member Saarc to achieve meaningful progress in economic spheres.
UN REFROMS: Talking to Ali Alatas, Adviser to the president of Indonesia and special envoy of the UN secretary-general, Mr Aziz said it was necessary to introduce UN reforms so that the world body could be made responsive to the “new challenges of today”.
“This has become all the more necessary as the UN plays a key role in ensuring global peace, security, economic development and human rights,” Mr Aziz said.
EXHIBITION: While inaugurating an exhibition titled “Islam in Sicily — A bridge between two civilizations” at the International Islamic University, the prime minister termed the tendency to malign Islamic faith “dangerous” and said Islam believed in inter-faith and inter-civilization harmony.
“We reject prejudices against Islam,” he said. Dismissing the notion of “clash of civilizations”, specifically between the West and the Islam, he said “Islam is a faith of peace and tolerance and is not on collision course with the West”.—APP
