Pakistan continues counter terrorism efforts
- By Daniel Xu
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China.org.cn, September 3, 2011
Although Awan has been in China three times before, this time is her first as Pakistan's head press official. She said it is a difficult job to take care of her words as they represent governmental policies.
Speaking on its behalf, Awan repeated her president's main goals in attending the Xinjiang expo, in which Pakistan hopes to strengthen exchanges with China in energy, agriculture, road connectivity and infrastructure.
"Such initiatives still need to be explored about how we can offer our own land as one of the energy corridors for the Eurasia countries including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Pakistan," Awan said.
She said potential initiatives include the new cross-border railway and the rebuilding of the Karakoram Highway, or the revival of the Silk Road. Awan said that with China's focus of new opening-up policies in its western provinces, Xinjiang can become a future economic hub for Central Asia. Pakistan, therefore, should "really seize the opportunity as one of its closest neighbors and partners to strengthen economic ties with the province."
At the meeting with Beijing media, Awan also addressed concerns of Pakistan's recent diplomatic woes with the United States.
"Some communication gap was created due to Bin Ladin's issue," she said. "But with time those relations are moving forward and keeping in mind our national interests, and there is no deadlock between us."
Awan said the war on terror is not only in the interest of the U.S. and other parts of the world; it is also in the interest of Pakistan. She said Pakistan wants to protect its people as well as the world, but "not at the cost of our own security."
"The international community including the U.S. must respect the sacrifices that Pakistan has made," Awan said. "We want recognition for those sacrifices."
The minister added that the media has the power to help promote the real image of Pakistan and Islam.
"Islam has nothing to do with bloodshed. It is against extremism and terrorism," Awan said. "And the media can help dispel the image and perception that Pakistan is a terrorist country."
