On 7 December 2004, the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, addressed over 200 IISS members on ‘Global Challenges: Pakistan's Role’. His speech encompassed the international, regional and internal dimensions of Pakistan's security policy.
In the fight against terror, the President said, the Muslim world needs to reject militancy and focus on socio-economic development. For this to succeed, the West needs to address the ‘root causes’ of conflict in Palestine and Kashmir, which are ‘ripe for a solution today’. In addition to contributing to the political, military and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan is also fighting terrorism – over 20,000 Pakistani troops are engaged in the mountainous region bordering Afghanistan.
On the peace process with India, he said that although it is ‘going well’, Kashmir cannot be sidelined. While India and Pakistan have agreed to explore all options on Kashmir, an ultimate resolution of the Kashmir dispute must be acceptable to both countries, as well as to the people of Kashmir.
The President said that Pakistan recently declined a tranche of IMF assistance; its economy is vibrant and the country is seeking growing trade and economic cooperation. To deal with sectarian and religious hatred within the country, mindsets must be changed.
