KARACHI, Oct 11 (INP): Chief of General Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa stressed on Wednesday that Pakistan is facing several strategic challeneges, adding that the security and economy of the country are interlinked. Addressing to the seminar titled Interplay of “Economy and Security” in Karachi today, he said external actors are attempting to assert control and dictate our security priorities that have strong linkages with our economic future. “The centrepiece of this effort is China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) … We have to continuously ensure a viable balance between economy and security,” he told the group of government officials and members of business community who were present at large. Talking about National Action Plan (NAP), he urged to formulate a comprehensive effort to counter threats. If NAP is implemented timely, he said it can “contribute directly to the economic and even political stability of the country”. He suggested that the country should have police, judicial and madrassa reforms. He gave the example of Karachi where security and law enforcement have brought economic stability, assuring to keep the city safe and peaceful for future. “When our enemies want to choke Pakistan, they try to destabilise Karachi because when Karachi bleeds, Pakistan bleeds. It is because of this sensitivity, that peace in Karachi has been our top priority. We have worked very hard to restore peace and now hope that economic activity would return at a fast pace, Insha Allah.” He stated we live in one of the most volatile regions of the world, dealing with multiple crises since inception, but increasingly so during the last four decades, however, we have a much improved security situation on the internal front and the challenges to the state’s writ have been defeated. General Bajwa said, “We have to continuously ensure a viable balance between economy and security. Only then will we arrive at a future that ensures sustained peace and happiness for our people.” The Army Chief went on to say we need a comprehensive effort to pursue National Action Plan and remove vulnerabilities well before they turn into threats. Many of the planned measures, if implemented timely, will contribute directly to the economic and even political stability of the country. Referring to improved security in the country, Army Chief said due to dedication and sustained hard work of Army and other LEAs, slowly and gradually, the improvements in security environment have started to pay off. “We have had mega events in the country in the fields of sports and culture this year. Recently, we not only had the most peaceful Muharram in years but the Bohra community validated our claim of improved security by selecting Pakistan for their annual gathering.” Similarly, early harvest projects, both CPEC and non CPEC, are nearing completion; with Pakistan Army providing security to our Chinese friends, he added. “If I were a statesman or an economist, I would say that this is high time for us to place economic growth and sustainability at the highest priority. Let me share with you that during National Security Council meetings, economy remains one of our highest concerns. But in order to secure our future, we must be ready to take difficult decisions. We have to increase our tax base, bring in fiscal discipline and ensure continuity of economic policies.” At the micro level, nothing exemplifies the linkage between economy and security better than the city of Karachi itself. “When our enemies want to choke Pakistan, they try to destabilize Karachi because when Karachi bleeds, Pakistan bleeds,” the General said. It is because of this sensitivity, that peace in Karachi has been our top priority. We have worked very hard to restore peace and now hope that economic activity would return at a fast pace, the Army Chief hoped. However, in order to maintain sustainable growth and progress, we must ensure law and order in the entire country. At the end, General Bajwa thanked the organizers for holding this seminar on such an important topic. Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal, DG FWO in his talk at seminar highlighted the geo strategic and geo economic significance of CPEC and Gwadar Port, which is the corner stone of whole concept.He said Pakistan is blessed with precious minerals and coal resources and we must exploit this potential. He said First time we kept open Khunjrab pass during last winter to keep the CPEC functional. He said FWO has also undertaken in collaboration with Pak Railway to improve the railway infrastructure and most important among them is dedicated freight corridor along ML-2. FWO is also planning oil refinery in KPK in collaboration with KP government. A project for cement manufacturing plant of 5000 MT per day is also being planned. INP/AJ