Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan stands for peace and stability of the region so that the people of South Asia can bring about a change in their lives.

According to a press release received here from London, the Foreign Minister was addressing the gathering including students during a function organised by President Oxford University and President of Oxford University Pakistan Society here at the Oxford University.

The Minister said democracy, demography and dissonance (self criticism & analysis) are key factors of national life which would bring about progress and prosperity for Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister underlined the role of democracy in establishing the rights of the people and in strengthening the institutions of the state.
The demographic features, she said, would determine the future course for economic development and dissonance would show the path for analysing endeavours to help correct attitudes and behaviours.
She underscored the significance of these factors in the historical perspective expressing confidence for a better future ahead for the country.
The Foreign Minister said democracy and dissonance has brought about openness in policies including the Foreign Policy.
The people, she added, own and believe in the policies framed by their elected representatives.
This aspect she mentioned besides support would add vigour and energy of youth (which is sixty percent of our population) to achieve the objectives of the policies thus leading towards progress and prosperity.
Later while replying to questions she mentioned that Pakistan has contributed a lot for international peace and made unprecedented sacrifices as a frontline state in war against terrorism.
Pakistan she added believes in reaching out to its neighbours for the sake of economic development of the region.
As regards Afghanistan issue, the Foreign Minister said that Pakistan supports an Afghan owned and Afghan led initiative for the resolution of the Afghan crisis.
The destiny of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, she mentioned are linked together and therefore Pakistan supports all efforts to bring about peace and stability in that country.
The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and desires to develop friendly relations with other countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interests.
The relations with India she said have improved and it would help both sides to resolve issues.
The problems of Balochistan, the Minister, said is an internal matter of Pakistan and it will be resolved by the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan and not by the US Congress.