Australia Supports Dialogue with Taliban, says Peter Heyward

Heyward, Australia's High Commissioner, says Pakistan is facing a destructive situation of terrorism and Australia supports a dialogue process to resolve the issues.

Salem-News.com's Shamim Masih, interviews Peter Heyward, Australian High Commissioner in Islamabad.

(ISLAMABAD) - Australia supports dialogue with Taliban to keep peace in the country, said Peter Heyward, Australian High Commissioner in Islamabad.

Talking to Shamim Masih, he said that Australia has offered to invest in the vast coal reserves of Pakistan.

We are interested in the mining, energy and agriculture sector of Pakistan. The agriculture sector is one of the big contributors in Pakistan’s economy and our companies are interested to invest in this sector. We support Pakistan in different sectors including energy. Coal is our specialty and Australians have been using coal for years, so we can include Pakistan in this sector as well. Our experts are working in mines in Baluchistan. A terrorist attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team has blocked doors of international cricketers in Pakistan. Pakistan and India should resolve their issue through dialogue including (the) Kashmir dispute.

Heyward, Australia's High Commissioner, visited the Daily Khabrian & Channel 5 in Islamabad. Heyward said that Pakistan is facing a destructive situation of terrorism and Australia supports a dialogue process to resolve the issues. Although Australia is part of allied forces in Afghanistan, Australian officials engaged with Taliban said many Australian troops left and rest will leave by the end of 2014, while some of the US troops will remain there.

Heyward invited Pakistani business people to visit Australia to hold investment conferences and seminars for matchmaking of the investor communities of both sides. He says officials are reluctant in providing visas to businessmen.

He affirmed the on-going bilateral treaties between Pakistan and Australia which are being comprised to facilitate the investment and trade prospects. He briefly described the investment possibilities in Pakistan and also mentioned the special economic zones which are an investor friendly incentive.

Peter Heyward said that he has presented a soft image of Pakistan to Australian business people and won over many for investment in Pakistan. He has visited and met members of the business community of the country. Australian cows and sheep are popular in Pakistan and this breed has now been introduced. Australian companies are now engaged in Pakistan and are working in different sectors including energy and electronics in Pakistan. Australian experts are now exploring gold, silver and other mines in Baluchistan, he added.

The High Commissioner said that Australia is a peaceful country. Pakistan is full of natural resources; the government should pay full attention to explore these resources to bring prosperity in the country. If we worked efficiently in developing these resources we could alleviate poverty.

About Shamim Masih

"I am Christian rights activist and freelancer Pakistani journalist specializing in writing about Christians rights for the different papers in the world. My aim is to create a peaceful environment in the society and to help eliminate Christian persecution through my writing as I bring the plight of these brave people under the spotlight of the whole world."

Shamim Masih was born in Sheikhopura's village and raised in Gujranwala, a city in Pakistan's Punjab province. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore majoring in English, Economics and Statistics; he also received a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

As a freelance writer and author, Shamim has written for different papers in the world; his expertise is in writing articles highlighting different social issues. He has served as freelance chief reporter and column writer in “Minority Times” in Islamabad, and a number of Shamim's articles have been published in local papers as well.

You can write to Shamim at this address: shamimpakistan@gmail.com