ISLAMABAD – Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stressed that Pakistan has suffered more from the Afghan conflict than any other nation, with profound human and financial losses.
Key Impact of the Conflict
- Human Toll: Approximately 90,000 casualties due to terrorism linked to Afghanistan.
- Economic Damage: Direct losses amounting to $152 billion, with $450 billion in indirect financial impact.
Security Challenges
Asif highlighted that Pakistan is the only country actively fighting terrorist organizations originating from Afghanistan, such as Fitna-al-Khawarij and Daesh. While the Interim Afghan Government takes limited action against groups like the Islamic State to address global concerns, other factions operate freely, sometimes with state support.
He raised concerns over terrorists gaining access to sophisticated U.S. military equipment left behind after American forces withdrew from Afghanistan.
Measures to Secure Borders
- Border Fencing: Over 2,200 km of the Pak-Afghan border has been fenced.
- Security Posts: Around 1,300 border forts and posts have been established.
- Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs): The primary focus remains on neutralizing terrorists and their facilitators.
- Socio-Economic Efforts: Development projects in the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prioritize education, healthcare, and job creation to prevent extremist recruitment.
Nuclear Power Safety
Responding to concerns about the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP), the minister assured the assembly that:
- KANUPP complies with international safety standards.
- It operates under the continuous supervision of the IAEA, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), and Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
- Environmental samples are collected biannually, with no radiation-related diseases reported to date.
Waste Management Concerns
Asif noted that improper disposal of hospital waste, including the reuse of old syringes, contributes significantly to disease spread. He called for robust reforms and specialized committees to address waste management, a challenge even in developed nations. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar supported the need for better systems to safely dispose of medical waste, particularly syringes.
Conclusion
The Defence Minister’s address underscored Pakistan’s enduring struggles with terrorism and its fallout from the Afghan conflict, while also touching on broader governance issues like nuclear safety and public health. His remarks highlight the need for continued vigilance, international cooperation, and domestic reforms to safeguard national security and public welfare.
