Food security, climate change part of national security: PM

ISLAMABAD: “Any country could be secure only when all people believe in its government and own their country. The army alone can’t secure a country,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Islamabad Security Dialogue on Wednesday.

“The national security means that the entire nation stands and has a stake to save the country,” the premier said.

“We see the national security from just one point that is the more we will strengthen our security forces and army, the more secure we will be. But, now we are realising that the national security is about things that no-one ever thought of in the past such as climate change,” the prime minister said.

“Climate change is something that can overshadow all given Pakistan’s vulnerability to it,” he pointed out. “I am proud that our government took action over this,” he added.

Prime Minister Khan lauded the country’s security forces for rendering sacrifices post-9/11 saga to secure Pakistan.

Touching upon food security, he said it is another big issue. “We imported four billion tonnes of wheat in a year for the first time,” he pointed out. Given the growing population, he announced that the government will bring in a comprehensive plan to address the food security issue in Pakistan.

The prime minister said that the government is working towards eradication of poverty like China did and pulled 700 million people out of poverty in 35 years.

About the Kashmir issue, he said the resolution of the longstanding dispute will not only benefit Pakistan but India too. “When we came to power, we tried hard to improve ties with India but the August 5 move of revocation of Kashmir’s special status dealt a blow to these efforts.”

The PM launched the first of its kind Policy Advisory Portal at the inaugural session of the Islamabad Security Dialogue.

PM @ImranKhanPTI launched the first of its kind Policy Advisory Portal on the inaugural session of the Islamabad Security Dialogue (@IsbDialogue).The portal has been developed by the National Security Division to engage over 100 think tanks and academia in policy making. pic.twitter.com/zdbitfoPBD

— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) March 17, 2021