Manend Team 
ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): Prime Minister Imran Khan has
emphasized on regional peace and connectivity for poverty alleviation,
economic growth and prosperity in the region.
He was addressing the opening session of the first two-day Islamabad
Security Dialogue, organization by National Security Division, in
Islamabad on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said resolution of Kashmir dispute will
greatly contribute to poverty alleviation and economic growth in the
region. He said the present government in Pakistan took initiative to
improve ties with India, but the efforts were not responded. He said
India’s illegal and unilateral step of August 5, 2019 about Kashmir took
the bilateral relations to a deadlock position. He said India will now
have to take the first step to improve bilateral relations. Imran Khan
said if India provides the Kashmiris their due right to self-
determination according to the United Nations Security Council
resolutions, it will prove beneficial for India itself as well.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan made its best possible efforts for
peace in Afghanistan. He said the opportunity of peace in Afghanistan
must be seized by all the stakeholders. He said the new US
Administration also gives importance to peace in Afghanistan. He said
peace in Afghanistan will promote economic activities in the region.
Imran Khan said Pakistan cannot fully benefit from its important geo-
strategic location until there is peace in the region. He said Pakistan’s
security forces have done a remarkable job to ensure peace in the
country.
The Prime Minister said national food security has a wide scope
encompassing food security, climate change, and poverty alleviation.
He said Pakistan’s initiative of Billion Tree Tsunami has been
appreciated at international level. He said the present government’s
comprehensive social protection Ehsaas program will help alleviate
poverty in the country.
He said the government will launch a comprehensive program about
food security.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also launched the first of its kind
Advisory Portal of the National Security Division.
Underlining the need for debate on national security, he said the input
of intellectuals and academia will help the relevant institutions devise
national security policy. He said this will also lead to national cohesion.
