PTVNEWS — broadcast 20261012 060000 UTC 522 transcript segments Google Speech-to-Text API Automatic Transcription (Chirp) Data courtesy of The GDELT Project (https://www.gdeltproject.org/), from the Internet Archive TV News Archive. Machine transcription. Treat it as a searchable index of what was broadcast, not a verbatim quotation record. [00:00:02] of [00:00:05] of [00:00:10] of [00:00:14] a [00:00:19] in [00:00:41] a [00:00:47] of [00:01:00] the [00:01:00] of diplomatic core, foreign [00:01:04] guests, distinguished [00:01:05] participants, ladies [00:01:08] of and gentlemen [00:01:09] as salam alaikum and very good morning, it is [00:01:12] indeed a great pleasure to join you this [00:01:16] morning at this seminar organized [00:01:19] by the institute of strategic studies [00:01:23] Islamabad to discuss an issue [00:01:26] of paramount importance to Pakistan. [00:01:30] the region and the wider [00:01:32] world. I'm thankful to [00:01:35] ambassador [00:01:36] and his team and the chairman for hosting the [00:01:40] seminar and [00:01:42] of all the participants for joining here [00:01:44] today. For Pakistan, [00:01:48] terrorism is not merely a policy [00:01:50] debate. It is [00:01:54] continuing story story of sacrifice and [00:01:57] valor. For. two decades Pakistan [00:02:01] has stood on the front [00:02:03] line of this [00:02:05] fight, our people have [00:02:09] suffered its consequences and our armed [00:02:13] forces, police and intelligence [00:02:16] services have confronted [00:02:19] its with extraordinary [00:02:22] courage. Ladies and [00:02:25] of gentlemen, more than as my [00:02:27] colleagues, more than 90000 [00:02:31] people lost their lives, our economy has [00:02:35] suffered losses exceeding 150 billion [00:02:39] US dollars, mind you, Pakistan total external debt [00:02:43] is 130 billion dollars, the cost does not [00:02:47] end here, terrorism had tarnished [00:02:50] Pakistan's image internationally and effected confidence in our [00:02:54] of [00:02:56] of country, the damage to our reputation and the opportunity lost during the... [00:03:00] that time [00:03:01] of was incalculable. Pakistan [00:03:05] has born a dual burden, [00:03:08] fighting terrorism, not [00:03:11] countering the [00:03:14] of misperception that have too often obscured or [00:03:17] sacrifices. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, [00:03:21] we [00:03:22] a remember of the children [00:03:25] of the army public school in prashar, we [00:03:28] remember [00:03:29] of the Bombay. of [00:03:31] of mosks, markets and bus stops, [00:03:35] the passengers taken hostage a [00:03:37] train and the laborers killed for no reason [00:03:41] other than where they come [00:03:43] from. these are not just [00:03:46] statistics, this is the price Pakistan [00:03:50] nation has paid and continue [00:03:54] of paying. the present government has made the fight against terrorism a [00:03:58] national priority. Under the leadership of Prime Minister [00:04:02] Mohammad Shahbas [00:04:03] of Sharief, we have renewed the national [00:04:07] counter terrorism effort and placed greater [00:04:11] emphasis on the implementation [00:04:13] of the National Action Plan. The Federal Apex [00:04:16] Committee has brought together the civilian and military [00:04:20] leadership to review the threat and [00:04:23] agree on the measures required to [00:04:26] confronted. the prime minister [00:04:30] approved azme istehkam with the [00:04:34] consensus [00:04:35] of the provinces and other [00:04:37] stakeholders. it brings together [00:04:42] of military, intelligence, law enforcing, [00:04:46] agencies and diplomatic efforts, supported by [00:04:50] a legal and socio economic [00:04:51] measures. the aim is to act against [00:04:55] terrorists and the network that [00:04:57] of sustain them while addressing. the conditions that [00:05:03] of of allow extremism to take root. excellencies, ladies and [00:05:07] gentlemen, our government has also agreed on [00:05:10] measures to strengthen intelligence. coordination and [00:05:14] the role the national counter terrorism [00:05:16] authority. these efforts require [00:05:20] close cooperation between the federation and the [00:05:22] provinces. every institution has [00:05:26] responsibility and the national effort [00:05:29] must continue with unity and resolve. [00:05:33] i commend prime minister mohammad share for his [00:05:37] determined leadership and sustained attention to this [00:05:41] fight. [00:05:43] I also play pay tribute to chief of army staff and chief of [00:05:47] defense forces, field marshal sayir for his [00:05:50] leadership and firm resolve to defeat [00:05:54] terrorism. Under his command, are armed [00:05:57] forces [00:05:58] in close coordination with law enforcement agencies, [00:06:02] continue operations against terrorism and their [00:06:06] facilitators. They confront this danger [00:06:10] daily, often at the... cost their own [00:06:13] lives. Ladies and [00:06:16] gentlemen, afghanistan transit [00:06:20] trade upgraded our economic [00:06:23] representation to ambassadorrial [00:06:26] level, signed the framework agreement for the [00:06:29] feasibility study of Uzbekistan, [00:06:33] Pakistan railway through [00:06:36] Afghanistan and established a [00:06:40] mechanism for consultation between. foreign [00:06:42] ministries. our fourmost priority was to urge [00:06:46] the affan authorities to take concrete and verificable [00:06:50] actions against terrorist groups operating for Afghan [00:06:54] soil and to prevent the use of Afghan [00:06:57] territory for terrorism against any country, [00:07:01] particularly Pakistan. may refer [00:07:04] to my own personal visits to [00:07:08] kabul in 2025 last year, three [00:07:11] visits. after four years tailmate, i [00:07:15] visited them 19th of April. I held detailed [00:07:19] parls, I spent a day with prime [00:07:22] minister, with deputy prime minister Hanvi [00:07:25] sab and foreign minister of Afghanistan [00:07:29] Muttaqisa. Followed by [00:07:33] that, I visited again in [00:07:35] July with Uzbek foreign minister. And we have [00:07:39] been pursuing since 2022, 23. [00:08:09] demands i would say relating to trade e economy, [00:08:13] refugees, political matters [00:08:17] and whatever he agreed, i held a press conference [00:08:20] live telecast in [00:08:23] Pakistan and Afghanistan to make sure that the teams in [00:08:27] Pakistan do deliver what I have promised there, [00:08:31] what is Pakistan ask, only one, please do not allow [00:08:35] your soil to be used against any country particularly [00:08:39] Pakistan for terrorism. [00:08:45] so we continued that [00:08:48] momentum, we upgraded the [00:08:51] diplomatic relationship to ambassador [00:08:54] level, and [00:08:56] then i and four minister of China, Mr. [00:09:00] Wangi visited Kabul to hold [00:09:03] a [00:09:04] tri trilateral dialogue in August 2025. [00:09:08] These was the sincere efforts on behalf of [00:09:12] Pakistan. [00:09:17] but the one ask we are not seeing any result unfortunately [00:09:20] so far, we did all this because [00:09:24] we believe in the Afhan people's future and we [00:09:28] want a stable prosperous Afghanistan, the [00:09:32] expectation has been and continue to be the Afghan [00:09:36] Taliban's authority must honor their counter terrorism [00:09:39] commitments and ensure the fan soil is not [00:09:43] used particularly against [00:09:44] Pakistan. Sadly, as I [00:09:48] said, we can no longer ignore the continuing terrorist threats [00:09:52] eminating from Afghanistan. United nations monitor report [00:09:56] team and the report which information minister just referred [00:10:00] to, have documented the presence of TTP in [00:10:03] Afghanistan and its close links with [00:10:06] Alcaida. This concern is not Pakistan's [00:10:10] alone, it is consequences for the [00:10:13] security the wider region, as [00:10:17] information minister said, just imagine if [00:10:21] Pakistan was not fighting this war is a frontline. [00:10:25] fighter, this terrorism, god knows, would have [00:10:28] spread by now, which parts the [00:10:30] globe, our concern is [00:10:33] concrete, attacks inside Pakistan are [00:10:37] planned, directed and launched from across the [00:10:41] border, test inf [00:10:45] infiltrate to different mountaineous [00:10:48] trains, strike a soldiers and civilians [00:10:52] and retreat to their centuries. [00:10:56] Pakistan is invested heavily in border [00:10:59] fencing and management at considerable [00:11:03] financial human cost, but no fence can [00:11:06] substitute for real action against these [00:11:09] terrorist centuries. Ladies and [00:11:12] gentlemen, we have raised our concern [00:11:15] directly, patiently and [00:11:17] repeatedly. We have shared [00:11:21] specific information, what we have asked. [00:11:25] is concrete action against these [00:11:29] terrorists and the centuries who attack [00:11:33] Pakistan from Afghan territory. [00:11:37] Despite all these sufferings, let me also share with [00:11:40] you, Pakistan is generous and [00:11:42] magnanimous. The UN [00:11:46] reached to foreign Office of Pakistan and ask [00:11:49] for permission, you know that last October [00:11:53] 2025, the... in one day [00:11:56] unbelievable number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan and in Bolugistan [00:12:00] particularly are also obviously led [00:12:03] to the closure of borders of both [00:12:06] sides [00:12:08] and what did we do despite all [00:12:12] that we allowed [00:12:15] permission for the passage of humanitarian [00:12:18] aid 1000 [00:12:22] containers which took almost month to [00:12:25] pass through the borders, so you can see the [00:12:29] Pakistan's approach based [00:12:32] on you, our real [00:12:36] will to see you Afghanistan develop, [00:12:40] prosper. I remember as finance minister of Pakistan, I've [00:12:43] been fighting with world bank and IMF in [00:12:47] 2010s for the approval the [00:12:51] Kasa 1000 project which was Tajikstan. [00:12:55] Afghanistan, Pakistan, which was suspended [00:12:59] by the world bank and IMF after [00:13:02] the Afghan [00:13:05] interum regime, and we have [00:13:09] again made [00:13:09] some efforts, it's been revived, [00:13:11] so you can see the sincerity of pakistan in the [00:13:13] entire in the entire [00:13:16] process. Excellencies, gentlemen, TDP [00:13:20] remains one the gravest threats to Pakistan [00:13:23] security. It has been responsible for some the [00:13:26] worst tas attacks in our history, [00:13:30] including attacks on schools, mosks, markets and [00:13:34] security installations. its victims include innocent [00:13:38] civilians and the men and women who [00:13:41] protected. the BLA 2 [00:13:45] continues to target civilians and security personnel while [00:13:48] seeking to undermine Pakistan's economic development. [00:13:52] st activities include the... hijacking the [00:13:56] Jafar Express in March [00:13:58] 2025, when over [00:14:02] 400 passengers were taken hostage, [00:14:06] attacks on passengers buses and the targeted killings of [00:14:09] civilians in Bojistan as well as the salts on security [00:14:13] installations and infrastructure critical to Pakistan's [00:14:17] economic development. Excellencies, ladies and [00:14:20] gentlemen, these groups do not operate in [00:14:23] isolation. they draw on external support [00:14:27] and benefit from networks that provide [00:14:30] fighters, funds, weapons and [00:14:33] training. pakistan is repeatedly called for action [00:14:36] against the support and the senturies that enable [00:14:40] their attacks. a group that finds [00:14:44] safe heaven today to attack Pakistan can use the same safe [00:14:48] heaven tomorrow to threat threaten [00:14:51] others. terrorism has never respected frontiers. [00:14:56] ignoring the TTP and his parents will not make this threat go [00:15:00] away, it will only give them time to [00:15:04] grow. Let me share with you, when I went in July [00:15:07] 2025 and called called on prime minister [00:15:11] Akunt, he was very thankful. He [00:15:15] said, first time, the promises made to [00:15:18] Afghanistan have been actually delivered within [00:15:22] eight weeks and We [00:15:26] think we can do business with you, [00:15:30] and I very politely reminded prime [00:15:34] minister that if you do... not [00:15:37] take appropriate actions against the terrorist groups [00:15:41] in Afghanistan, the day will come, if your government [00:15:45] is there, they will haunt you as well, and you will be [00:15:49] facing threats from the same terrorist in [00:15:51] Afghanistan. so excellencies, ladies and [00:15:55] gentlemen, terrorists do not survive a vacuum, they need [00:15:59] money, weapons and political cover. [00:16:02] pakistan has consistently shared its serious concern with the international [00:16:06] community, about Indian patternage of terrorist [00:16:10] organizations operating against Pakistan, [00:16:13] including from Afghan soil. We have also [00:16:17] shared dossiers with the United Nations and our [00:16:21] international partners documenting Indian [00:16:24] patternage to test organization working [00:16:28] against Pakistan from Afghan soil including [00:16:31] TTP and proxies to destabilize [00:16:34] Pagistan. From the [00:16:38] serving Indian naval commander, I'm sure you [00:16:42] would recall Kulboshan Jadev who [00:16:45] confessed his involvement in terrorist activities against [00:16:49] Pakistan to its henous record of extra [00:16:53] territorial assassinations including in North [00:16:56] America, Indian state [00:16:59] sponsorship of terrorism, all has been [00:17:03] well documented. We raised, we raised [00:17:07] this. because a principle is at [00:17:09] stake when a state uses terrorist [00:17:13] groups as instruments of policy against a [00:17:16] neighbor, it puts the peace the wider [00:17:20] region at complete risk. it undermines [00:17:24] international law and relations between the [00:17:27] states. such support must be [00:17:30] confronted without political considerations or double [00:17:34] standards. again, refer to, [00:17:40] the developments in the last 24 hours in Pakistan, it's not a [00:17:44] political move, it is surely against the [00:17:48] manners of terrorism which that province has been [00:17:52] hit with in the last decade and a half, [00:17:56] can we keep sleeping and looking towards another [00:18:00] because it's a looking that is may be deemed to be a [00:18:03] political move, no it's not, i can i [00:18:06] can guarantee I negotiate in 20 [00:18:10] 2014 with the same political party when the 126 days of [00:18:14] dharna in Islamwa so this government does not [00:18:18] believe but when it comes to the safety and [00:18:21] security of or [00:18:25] nationals or citizens wherever [00:18:28] they live any part of Pakistan I think is the duty the federal [00:18:32] government that once it is totally [00:18:36] determined that this no solution other than what we [00:18:40] have done yesterday, we should have done it, we have paid a [00:18:43] very heavy political cost when the last [00:18:47] time country was right at the at the verge of [00:18:50] default and we had to take very difficult [00:18:54] structural measures which are very painful, [00:18:58] political cost was paid, unpopularity was [00:19:01] there and we recovered a lot because we have [00:19:05] saved the country from the you know at [00:19:08] the blink of default, the dates are given to Pakistan [00:19:12] time and again and we always used to say [00:19:15] bravely that come what may Pakistan will not default, I hope you remember my [00:19:19] statements of Finance of Pakistan in 2022, [00:19:22] 23, so you see the [00:19:26] life has to go in accordance with [00:19:29] peace which you see in other parts the [00:19:32] world, so so whether whatever cost a government [00:19:36] has to pay, to save the economy, to save the [00:19:40] property and lives the people, I think it is never too [00:19:43] much, and I think [00:19:46] you know the government had no choice but to take the measures we took [00:19:49] yesterday and inshallah will implement in totality, you will find the [00:19:53] difference in weeks to come and months to come, and I'm [00:19:57] sure the province will will will be quite happy [00:20:01] to to see the peace back, their lives and and properties [00:20:05] save and you know, radicalization [00:20:08] ends. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, [00:20:12] Pakistan is also working to strengthen multilet [00:20:15] multilateral cooperation against terrorism. As an elected [00:20:19] member the United Nations Security Council, for the years [00:20:22] 2025, 2026, we are bringing a [00:20:26] experience and concerns to the Security Council's [00:20:30] work. During our current term, Pakistan is [00:20:33] taken on the chairmanship the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee. [00:20:38] and served as vice chair the counter [00:20:41] terrorism committee as well. These [00:20:45] responsibility give us an important role in [00:20:49] advancing. international cooperation and the [00:20:52] implementation of relevant security council [00:20:54] resolutions. Pakistan also [00:20:58] chaired the Shengai Cooperation Organization's regional [00:21:01] anti-terrorist structure known as rat during [00:21:05] 2025-26. We have used this forum to [00:21:09] advance regional cooperation against terrorism. Our [00:21:12] bilateral counter terrorism dialogue including with the United [00:21:15] States are another part of this effort. [00:21:20] We are working with our partners to address common threads [00:21:23] and strengthen practical cooperation. [00:21:27] Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the international community [00:21:30] has responsibility to support this fight. [00:21:34] Pakistan sacrifices reserve recognition, but [00:21:38] recognition alone is not enough. We need timely [00:21:42] intelligence sharing, access to technology and support for [00:21:46] further capacity building of our law enforcement agen. [00:21:51] we also need effective international actions against terrorist [00:21:54] financing, the supply of weapons and the provision of [00:21:58] safe heavens. states must [00:22:01] ensure that their territory is not used for [00:22:04] terrorism against any other country. our [00:22:08] partners must also impress upon the for authorities the need [00:22:12] to fulfill their commitments. a [00:22:15] threat that endages the region and the world [00:22:19] cannot leave. Pakistan to confront [00:22:21] alone. Excellency [00:22:24] ladies and gentlemen, even as we confront [00:22:28] today's threats, we must look at what is [00:22:30] coming. Terrorists are [00:22:33] adapting, they recruit and radicalize through [00:22:37] social media and encrypted [00:22:40] platforms. They raise funds [00:22:42] through cryptocurrencies and other [00:22:46] digital channels that avait traditional controls. [00:22:50] young people are increasingly exposed to their propaganda [00:22:54] online, they are experimenting with [00:22:58] drones and exploiting artificial intelligence to spread [00:23:02] propaganda, loan actors radicalized [00:23:06] online can strike without [00:23:08] warning. modern weaponry is also finding [00:23:12] its its way into the hands of terrorist [00:23:16] groups, making the task of our security forces, [00:23:20] even more difficult, no state or [00:23:23] society can combat these challenges alone, [00:23:27] we need to share technology, intelligence [00:23:31] and experience, above all we need strong political [00:23:35] resolve to act against terrorism in all its forms and [00:23:39] manifestations with [00:23:40] distinction, without [00:23:43] distinction or excuse, ladies and gentlemen, [00:23:47] excellencies, those kill children in [00:23:50] pishar claim to act in name of [00:23:53] Islam, they did [00:23:56] not. Islam teaches and early holy Quran says very [00:24:00] categorically that killing of human being tentamon to killing [00:24:04] the entire humanity, it doesn't [00:24:07] classify who is human being, a Muslim, a [00:24:10] Hindu, sikh, a christian, no, [00:24:14] a Jew is killing of human me, [00:24:17] tentam to killing the entire. humanity, [00:24:21] so using the name of Islam obviously is [00:24:25] totally is not true. They [00:24:29] are criminals, they speak for no faith or religion [00:24:33] and have no nationality or boundary. I'm talking about [00:24:36] terrorist. Terrorism must never be [00:24:39] equated with any religion, nationality, [00:24:42] civilization or ethnicity. Islamophobia [00:24:46] divides communities and gives terrorists the propaganda. [00:24:51] the they seek, our response must remain [00:24:54] firm against terrorism and and clear [00:24:58] on this principle. let me also [00:25:02] emphasize that counter terrorism must not be used as a [00:25:05] pretex to suppress the legitimate struggle of people for [00:25:09] self determination in the charter of [00:25:13] your nation and the relevant security council [00:25:16] resolutions. i'm referring to obviously palestine. [00:25:20] cash Jammu and Kashmir and any situation [00:25:24] we recently saw what happened between Thailand and [00:25:27] Cambodia, it is Pakistan when it has presidency [00:25:31] last year, we put theme we ministerial theme [00:25:35] we picked up, multilateralism, peaceful [00:25:38] settlement of disputes and [00:25:42] after 12 years resolution [00:25:45] 2788 was passed unanimous [00:25:48] unanimously in this UN security council when i was presiding [00:25:52] the UN security council the meeting, [00:25:56] it was first time in 12 years, there had been some resolution passed [00:26:00] with majority of... or or [00:26:03] you know obviously rejected or we told, but it was the [00:26:07] first resolution passed with unanimity of all members, [00:26:11] 15 members the UN security council and [00:26:15] and the theme was multilateralism, peaceful [00:26:19] settlement of disputes and within [00:26:22] days, i think hardly two weeks when the Thailand and [00:26:26] Cambodia issue was there conflict, the [00:26:30] excepts from this resolution were quoted in [00:26:34] the in the discussions and debate in the UN [00:26:37] itself, so I think you see [00:26:41] her, our intention is very clear, and [00:26:45] those used to call Pakistan, [00:26:49] probably because the terrorism we have been actually [00:26:52] fighting a terrorist or some other [00:26:56] state, now they are very happy to call Pakistan [00:27:00] a peace maker state. after what we have done in the last few [00:27:04] years, it is nowhere other than in Norway [00:27:08] forum that by one [00:27:11] the P5 countries and boy [00:27:14] said Pakistan is become net security provider to this [00:27:18] region, our efforts are on [00:27:20] record, we did everything possible for [00:27:24] US Iran mediation, first time after 47 [00:27:28] years we brought them, brought them for direct talks on the same [00:27:32] table. They shook hand, they said together, obviously on the [00:27:35] condition Pakistan must be present, we were present, [00:27:39] but it's most unfortunate, the 18th of June [00:27:42] agreement was there, but [00:27:44] it is most unfortunate that they were violation from both [00:27:47] sides, have you given up, no, as as late [00:27:51] as just days before in the high week of [00:27:55] un general assembly, on the sidelines of New York, we were making [00:27:59] all all possible efforts, the whole has [00:28:02] further been complicated by Babul [00:28:06] Manda and all these are [00:28:10] similar sort of different definitions of [00:28:13] terrorism, so you know that [00:28:16] Pakistan has entered into a joint defense [00:28:20] agreement which is known as it was signed in Makkka, so [00:28:24] makkah joint defense agreement on 7th [00:28:27] of August, it's inaugural meeting took [00:28:30] place in in In Istanbul on 31st of [00:28:33] August, Pakistan has the privilege and honor to have [00:28:37] the first secretary general of three years term, it's headquarters going to [00:28:41] be in Raad, a committee, [00:28:45] working committee is working on finalizing its organ [00:28:49] and other detail and and operation [00:28:52] detail, it has a permanent committee which [00:28:56] is called SPDC (strategic political and defense committee) [00:29:00] which comprises of from three countries from each country, the foreign ministers, [00:29:04] the defense ministers, the army chiefs, the idea [00:29:07] is not any offensive, the idea [00:29:11] is totally objective is defensive, so it is for [00:29:15] self defense, and it is nothing which is against any international [00:29:19] law or charter, charter 51 are laws the [00:29:23] UN for self or the collective [00:29:26] defense, that is the [00:29:29] you know the lines on which NATO was created. [00:29:32] so a real objective is to create peace in this [00:29:36] region, to to bring you closeness among the [00:29:40] and [00:29:41] it is, it is not restricted to these three countries, it has very [00:29:44] clear [00:29:46] you know clauses which will allow other countries, once we are [00:29:49] fully you established, maybe within a year, [00:29:53] even other countries can join this this pact and [00:29:57] this sovereign defense arrangement and the [00:30:01] idea is, think it is high time that this region [00:30:04] must find an independent [00:30:07] architecture to bring peace and security in this [00:30:11] region from far from areas the time has proved, [00:30:15] it is probably difficult if not impossible, [00:30:18] so let me emphasize [00:30:22] that we will obviously we must not [00:30:25] be you know ignoring what's [00:30:29] happening in the world, the times are very challenging, [00:30:33] "the situations need full attention of [00:30:37] all the countries in the region, particularly our region, and we have seen [00:30:40] the energy supply chain disruption, we have seen the [00:30:43] prices, the common man is suffering, again the government whatever could [00:30:47] do for the two wheelers, three wheelers, subsidy, remove all the [00:30:51] taxes, give refund through through tokens, almost [00:30:55] 10 over 10 million people are benefiting, so if you take average [00:30:59] size of"