By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, warned that lasting peace in the region could not be achieved while militant groups such as the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continued to operate with impunity, urging Afghanistan to take a clear stance against extremism.
Speaking at the opening of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference in Islamabad, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan had repeatedly faced hostile actions from forces opposed to peace, but that its armed forces had successfully thwarted attempts to destabilize the country.
He described the gathering of parliamentary leaders from across the world to discuss security, peace, and development as a matter of national pride, highlighting the critical link between stability and progress.
“Peace and stability form the foundation of sustainable development. Progress is only possible in societies where security prevails,” he said, noting that ongoing global conflicts underscore the importance of stability for growth and prosperity.
Sharif also stressed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was key to regional connectivity and economic development, warning that extremist groups continued to pose a threat both inside and beyond Afghan territory. He recalled unprovoked attacks on Pakistan’s eastern border in May and praised the decisive responses by Pakistani forces to recent assaults originating from Afghan soil. Alongside his security-focused remarks, the prime minister highlighted his government’s economic reforms, including efforts to strengthen institutions, empower women and youth, promote small and medium-sized enterprises, and create jobs, linking domestic development to regional stability.
