Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that more and more think-tanks are needed to counter the propaganda unleashed by the country’s enemies.
The prime minister said that in the absence of credible think-tanks, people in a country are forced to borrow ideas from other countries, which kills their original thinking. He was speaking at a conference titled ‘A peaceful and prosperous South Asia’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.
In the 1960s, Pakistan had a good ‘Planning Commission,’ according to Imran Khan. “Not only did the commission aid the country’s economic prosperity, but it also benefited in a variety of other ways.” “People from Malaysia and South Korea would come to Pakistan and regard it as a ‘role model,'” he said.
PM Imran Khan began his remarks by stating that Pakistan requires think tanks to address global concerns. “Rather than defining the world, we should define ourselves.” Foreigners have no understanding of our culture or history. I believe there is a lack of meaningful response from our side when others spread misinformation that Pakistan is the most dangerous country.”
In his speech, Imran Khan addressed a number of regional and international concerns, including Pakistan-India ties, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, climate change, and so on.
PM Imran advised the seminar attendees to educate the general public as well as the local media on current issues so that they may better grasp them. “The best argument is ignorance,” he added, adding, “and this is what is going on in Pakistan’s electronic media these days.” Experts who appear on these talk shows are not only uninformed of the issues confronting the country, but they are also determined to make others ignorant of them.”
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the prime minister expressed remorse that Islam and Pakistan became the target of harmful propaganda. “It was widely circulated that Pakistan possessed an Islamic bomb. Without knowing their past or the genuine message of Islam, western specialists would make judgments on Muslims. However, we received no response from our end. He bemoaned the fact that “foreigners are still not safe in Pakistan.”
He went on to say that the goal of establishing Rehmatulil Alameen Authority was to bring the real message of Islam to the West and to dispel opponents’ misconceptions.
He informed the audience that he had worked hard to maintain peaceful relations with India; but, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi perceived this for weakness.
Pakistan, according to the prime minister, is opposed against the RSS mentality. “And nothing could be more dangerous to India’s unity than this mindset,” he said.
He did say, though, that Pakistan would do all possible to talk to India about Kashmir.
He went on to say that the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan would have a negative impact on the entire region. He encouraged the international community to assist Afghanistan in averting a humanitarian crisis that was developing due to the country’s serious economic problems.
Pakistan, which was also hosting an emergency meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad [on December 19], will make every effort to alleviate the suffering of the 40 million Afghans, he stressed.
Imran Khan cited the United States’ freeze of Afghanistan’s foreign exchange reserves as one of the key causes of the country’s economic and humanitarian crises, which has lasted more than 40 years.
He claimed that, as a result of the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, Iran was also dealing with a refugee issue.
Peace in Afghanistan, according to the Prime Minister, is critical not only for Pakistan’s future, but also for Central Asian countries interested in regional trade and connectivity.
PM Imran Khan, speaking about regional challenges, asked that all efforts be made to find solutions to all difficulties through dialogue. “On the Kashmir dispute, we have tried our hardest to have negotiations with India.” He went on to say that India misinterpreted Pakistan’s overtures as a sign of weakness.
PM Khan stated that we are unfortunate to be confronted with the RSS philosophy, and that the people of India are unlucky in their country’s events. He went on to say that classifying India’s 50 to 60 million people as second-class citizens would have serious ramifications.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to Prime Minister Imran Khan, is a fantastic opportunity for us, and we are reaping the rewards. He claimed that the United States (US) and China are engaged in a cold war.
Pakistan’s prime minister stated that the two countries’ disagreements must be resolved. He said that trade blocs had been formed, but that Pakistan would not join the cold war.
PM Khan stated that the melting of Himalayan glaciers is faster than the melting of Karakoram glaciers, which will affect both Pakistan and India, when discussing climate challenges. In addition to fixing the smog problem, he called for Pakistan and India to work together on climate change.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had earlier stated at the conference that contemporary technology will play a key role in the development of the region.
In response to the Afghan problem, Qureshi stated that the neighbouring country has been in a state of conflict for the past four decades. He demanded that urgent measures be taken to prevent any humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
CPEC, according to the foreign ministry, wants to strengthen regional ties, which is necessary for stability.
