In a candid assessment of the challenges facing Pakistan, Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz today said the country will have to put its own house in order.
Aziz said with changes occurring around the world at a very fast pace, concepts like a nation state and national sovereignty have eroded and economic gravity is shifting towards Asia.
Pakistan also has a problem of improving its image globally but such challenges can be converted into opportunities, he said.
During an address at the Institute of Strategic Studies, a think tank funded by the government, Aziz stressed that Pakistan will have to put its own house to find solutions to the country's problems.
"In the region, Pakistan enjoys good relations with China but has serious problems with India and Afghanistan. The uncertain situation in Afghanistan is a source of concern for Pakistan," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the think tank.
If Pakistan can deal with its internal problems, then external challenges will not be so hard to handle, he said.
"The rise of China is also a very important development. Indian aspirations for global power and turmoil in the Arab world are events that Pakistan cannot take its eyes off," Aziz said.
"There is a global consensus that there should be peace in this region. Pakistan's geostrategic location is also an asset which can be used to boost trade and cooperation in energy sector throughout the region," he added.
Aziz emphasised that it is Pakistan's desire to improve relations with India. He noted that only a better environment in South Asia will allow SAARC to realise its full potential.
Pakistan also needs to reset its relations with the US.
