Pakistan: Ready to help create South and Central Asia linkages

Pakistan on Monday said that it was ready to play its role in creating linkages between South and Central Asia to promote regional peace and development.

“Pakistan is prepared to play its role in creating new linkages, strengthening the existing ones and help trigger a movement for sustainable peace and development in the region and beyond,” Prime Minister’s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said during an address at the “Ancient Pakistan” exhibition organised by the ministry of foreign affairs.

He said that ancient Pakistan was a fascinating study of how diverse cultures, languages, social and belief systems interacted to produce a common identity.

“This, today, is our national identity. With this national identity, geography makes Pakistan as much a part of South Asia as Central Asia,” he further said.

Mr Aziz said that Pakistan was a cradle of ancient civilisations and offered immense potential for bringing the people closer in the region.

The objective of the event was to introduce the world of the country’s rich heritage and culture. The top diplomat said the exhibition was not merely a display of artifacts and antiquities but a narration of history of an ancient people who inhabited the meadows, fields, mountains, deserts, hills and valleys of this country.

“The ancient sources of Pakistan’s culture and civilisation have created a cultural empathy between Pakistan and other countries of Central, South, and East Asia. This link has to be strengthened and transformed through greater regional connectivity, speedy resolution of disputes and closer people to people contacts,” Mr Aziz said.