By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that there will be zero tolerance for terrorism and it will be defeated at all costs. If there is any interference in the country from anywhere, the army is capable of giving a full response. The country now needs a long march of economic development, not political. Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism. The dialogue between PTI and the government can yield good results.
Speaking at the Masters Degree Show 2024 ceremony of the National College of Arts of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Ahsan Iqbal said that the PML-N government wants peace and political stability in the country. He believes in political dialogue and positive results can be obtained from talks with PTI. The soil of Afghanistan should not be used against Pakistan. Ahsan Iqbal also reiterated his commitment to ending terrorism.
There will be zero tolerance for terrorism in the Apex Committee meeting. Terrorism will be dealt with like it was dealt with in 2013. Terrorism will be defeated. If there is interference from anywhere in the country, the army is capable of giving a full response and will bring peace back through sacrifices and struggle)
Ahsan Iqbal said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has laid the foundation of a four-year Udan Pakistan for a strong Pakistan. After training the youth in other fields including skill development, they will make them a manpower force for the whole world. He said that we were taught that as a nation, they are thieves and robbers. If you go to Europe or America and ask them how Pakistanis are, they will say that Pakistanis are hardworking and intelligent.
Our brand is not thieves and robbers. A generation has been misled. Democracy is not about creating hatred. The country develops only when positive forces emerge. Pakistan has to increase its exports from $30 billion to $100 billion in eight years. If it reaches $15 billion in fifteen years, there will be difficulties. Two hundred thousand youth will be trained in IT skills annually so that they can play a role in taking the country forward.
Ahsan Iqbal said that democracy is not about creating hatred in the country. Only then will Pakistan develop. When positive thinking flourishes and the country no longer needs a long march of political but economic development.
