ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi said that armed forces were committed to perform their mandated functions as per Constitution, therefore, all politicians should commit themselves to democratic means of negotiations, consultations and deliberations to achieve consensus on issues confronted to nation and reduce political polarisation to achieve financial and economic stability in country.

Addressing concluding session of Islamabad Conclave-2022, ‘75 Years of Independence: Achieving Comprehensive National Security’ here he said that in past superpowers adopted doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction, which diverted resources of world towards meeting and developing more lethal weapon systems.

Alvi added that democracy, military defence, information and communication security, and economic independence were essential elements for comprehensive defence of country. The president said that Constitution of Pakistan safeguarded rights of all citizens equally irrespective of their social status, wealth or influence, adding that justice should be served promptly and cheaply without any discrimination which would help country to move forward on fast-track basis.

President Alvi said that information was another vital element of national security as disinformation could be used to destroy country and mislead innocent populations. He said disinformation regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction led to major conflict in Middle East, which resulted in loss of many precious lives and destruction of property and assets. Higher Education Commission should take decisive and concrete steps to increase capacity and capabilities of higher education institutions by adopting out-of-the-box solutions and bringing in hybrid and online teaching systems to ensure that all aspiring students could be accommodated in higher education system, he remarked.

He said that there was need to remove taboos attached to preventive methods of population control and ensure availability of contraceptives. It could reduce unwanted pregnancies, which were 50 percent of total pregnancies that takes place in country. Director General of ISSI, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary briefed participants about issues discussed at conclave. F.S Aijazuddin, termed population as major issue on internal front whereas relations with India were major issue on external front.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 09 2022

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