Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, president of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, has said that only a politically and economically stronger Pakistan can protect its interests in the region and beyond. He said that it is difficult for the world to ignore Pakistan, thanks to its geographical location but the deteriorating law and order situation coupled political and economic instability has threatened Pakistan’s interests. The outcome of the Chinese PM’s visit to Pakistan proves that Beijing attaches great importance to Islamabad.

Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani expressed these views while delivering a lecture at the Minhaj University under the subject of “South Asia: Sino-Pakistan relations”. Brig. (r) Muhammad Iqbal, Dr Zahoorullah Qadri, Dr Ali Akber Al-Azhari, G.M. Malik, and other professors were also present on the occasion. He said that steps being taken by the government of Pakistan to eliminate the threat of terrorism and extremism were short of the needful. There is a lot that needs to be done to eliminate terrorism in its entirety. He said that Pakistan suffers from image problem which needs to be revived for the better through corrective steps. He said that the national development hinged on improvement in law and order situation and this warranted employment of holistic approach to combat terror.

Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani said that the growing Indian influence can be countered by further strengthening Pakistan-China relations. He welcomed the outcome of three-day visit of the Chinese PM Mr. Wen Jiabao to Pakistan and said that this relationship is anchor of stability in South Asia. He said that Pakistan needs to focus on its economic development and this was possible through broadening of tax base and curtailment of expenditures.