Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday reiterated Pakistan’s principled position that he would not allow the United States to use its bases against Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan is making serious efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan as it will be the main beneficiary of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The president made the remarks during an interactive session here in Aiwan-e-Sadr with military officers from 12 foreign countries, who are currently taking a workshop course on national security at the University of National Defense.

He urged the international community to take serious note of recent incidents of illegal black market uranium sales in India, as such radioactive material could fall into the wrong hands, endangering human lives and the security of nations.

The president lamented that such an important incident had been ignored in the international media, according to a press release issued by the presidential media office.

He highlighted Pakistan’s success against the war on terror, saying that the country’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies have successfully defeated terrorism.

He said Pakistan had paid a heavy price by waging the war on terrorism, having lost more than 70,000 people, in addition to suffering economic losses of around 150 billion dollars.

The president added that Pakistan was the biggest victim of the protracted conflict in Afghanistan which damaged its economy as well as the security of the country.

He said Pakistan, from the start, had advocated for a negotiated settlement of the Afghan imbroglio, as the war was not a solution to a dispute that increased human suffering and miseries.

The President briefed the participants on the country’s achievements, stating that Prime Minister Imran Khan made a compassionate and intelligent decision in not enforcing full lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided emergency financial assistance, under the Ehsaas program, to more than 15 million families. to save them from poverty and hunger.

He went on to say that Pakistan has successfully managed the pandemic through the cooperation of religious leaders and the media as well as the nation as a whole who has shown exemplary discipline.

The President informed that Pakistan is going in the right direction and is on the verge of becoming a geo-economic center of the region by using its special geo-economic situation to boost regional trade and encourage economic integration.

He said Pakistan is focusing on developing the IT (information technology) sector, and taking practical steps and training its young people to improve IT exports.

It works closely with China to promote regional connectivity and economic cooperation among countries in the region, he added.

Responding to questions from participants, the president said Pakistan would not allow the United States to use its bases against the sister country (Afghanistan).

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further expand and consolidate economic, political and cultural relations with all friendly countries, especially states in the region.

The participants praised the hospitality offered by the government during their stay in Pakistan.

They appreciated the government’s social and economic achievements, especially the successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic.