KARACHI, Nov 20: Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal on Monday urged the international community to address the root causes of terrorism. “Unless issues like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir and Palestine remain unresolved, terrorists will continue to threaten and sabotage peace globally,” he said while inaugurating the Ideas 2006 seminar on ‘Expanding Global Security Environment’.

Mr Rao maintained that Pakistan had played key role in combating this faceless enemy by penetrating into the network of terrorists, making tremendous sacrifices. The world, he said, should recognise Pakistan’s role in this respect.

The minister was glad that the seminar attracted a wide attention which reflected positively on the quality of speakers and the relevance of the subject chosen for the two sessions.

He pointed out that the demise of cold war put an end to ideological, diplomatic, economic and physical confrontation between the capitalist and communist blocs.

Rao Sikandar said the world had taken a sigh of relief with the end of cold war era but unfortunately a new enemy emerged in the form of terrorism.

Earlier, Defence Export Promotion Organisation Director General Major General Syed Absar Hussain in his welcome address spoke of the standard and profile this seminar achieved during the past six years. He said theme of this seminar was pertinent in the wake of prevailing geo-political and strategic global scenario. He said experts from France, Britain, China, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Turkey have been invited to address.