Think-tanks needed to counter enemies’ propaganda: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that there was a dire need for having more and more think-tanks so that the propaganda unleashed by the country’s enemies could be countered, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Addressing a conference, titled, ‘A peaceful and prosperous South Asia’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, the prime minister said in the absence of credible think-tanks, people of a certain country were forced to borrow ideas from other countries, which resultantly killed their original thinking.  

Imran Khan said that there was a quality ‘Planning Commission’ in Pakistan in 60s. “Not only that the commission helped the country progress economically but it also benefitted in many other ways. People from countries like Malaysia and South Korea would come to Pakistan and look up to it as a ‘role model’,” he recalled.

While starting his speech, PM Imran Khan said that Pakistan needs think tanks for global issues. “We should define ourselves instead of the world. The foreigners are unaware of our culture and history. I feel the lack of an effective response from our side when others run propaganda against our country that Pakistan is the most dangerous country.”

Imran Khan in his address spoke on various issues of regional and international interests including Pakistan-India relations, Jammu and Kashmir dispute, climate change, etc. 

PM Imran urged the participants of the seminar to also educate people as well as the local media on today’s issues so that they could understand them better. “Ignorance makes the best argument,” he said, adding, “This is what is happening on Pakistan’s electronic media these days. The experts who attend these talk shows are not only themselves ignorant, but they are also bent upon making others ignorant of the issues the country is confronted with.”  

The prime minister regretted that Islam and Pakistan became the subject of malicious propaganda after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA. “It was propagated that Pakistan had an Islamic bomb. The western experts would comment on Muslims without knowing their background and the true message of Islam. But unfortunately no reaction came from our side. It is still said that Pakistan is not safe for the foreigners,” he deplored. 

He went on to add that the purpose of establishing Rehmatulil Alameen Authority was to convey the true message of Islam to the West; to remove misconceptions from the minds of detractors.  

He told the audience that he had made efforts for peaceful relations with India; but sadly Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mistook this for our weakness. 

The prime minister said actually Pakistan was pitted against the RSS mentality. “And nothing could be more lethal for the unity of India than this mindset,” he opined.

He, however, said that Pakistan would do its utmost to talk to India on Kashmir. 

He further said that humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan would have adverse consequences for the whole region. He urged the international community to help avert a looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which was facing severe economic problems.

Since the 40 million Afghan people were facing problems, Pakistan, which was also hosting an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Minister in Islamabad [on December 19] , will do every effort to help address their suffering, he added. 

Imran Khan mentioned the freezing of Afghanistan foreign exchange reserves by the United States as one of major factors behind the economic and humanitarian crisis for Afghans, who were facing problems for the last 40 years. 

He said that due the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Iran was also facing the problem of refugees. 

The Prime Minister said that peace in Afghanistan was not only vital for the future of Pakistan but also for Central Asian States which were much interested in regional trade and connectivity. 

Highlighting the regional issues, PM Imran Khan urged that maximum efforts should be made to find solutions to all issues through dialogues. “We have tried our best to hold dialogues with India on the Kashmir dispute.” He added that India misunderstood the overtures of Pakistan as its weakness.

PM Khan said that it is an unfortunate fact that we are facing the RSS ideology and the people of India are unlucky for the happenings in their country. India will face severe consequences after declaring its 50 to 60 crore population as second-class citizens, he added.

PM Imran Khan said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) is a great opportunity for us and we are getting its benefits. He said that there is a cold war between the United States (US) and China.

The premier said that Pakistan wants to end the differences between both countries. He said that trade blocs have been created, however, Pakistan will not become part of the cold war.

While talking about the climate challenges, PM Khan said that the melting of Himalaya glaciers is faster than the Karakoram glaciers that will affect both Pakistan and India. He called for joint efforts of Pakistan and India regarding climate change besides resolving the smog issue.

Earlier, addressing the conference, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that modern technology will have a leading role in the region in the future.

Regarding the Afghanistan crisis, Qureshi said that the neighbouring country is facing a warring situation for the last four decades. He called for serious steps to avert any humanitarian crises in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister said that CPEC aims to promote regional links which is needed to bring stability.