News
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Zardari offers full support to PML-N in fighting challenges* President says Opp has right to criticise govt policies where necessary in national interest
* No regrets while leaving the office of the president
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended full support to the new government of the PML-N in addressing various issues, including terrorism and economy.
Speaking at a dinner he hosted in honour of journalists at the Presidency, President Zardari said the opposition has the right to criticise the policies of the government, if need be, in the national interest.
The president said his tenure has been marked with “accomplishments” in many areas as well as some “failures”, adding that he had proved his words he had delivered in Garhi Khuda Bukhsh that “we have come to make history, not to make headlines”.
“I have no regrets while leaving the office of the president,” Zardari said and pointed that he had transferred all his powers to parliament and strengthened democracy. He said he was satisfied as “I am leaving this House today with honour, peace and total responsibility”. He said that rarely in the country’s history anyone has left the Presidency with grace, adding that he was leaving it with peace.
The president said that now “we can proudly say that Pakistan has won at the end, after a successful democratic transition”.
“A whole lot of burden has been lifted off my shoulders, and now I can relax and read the newspapers,” the president said.
He said he has his full support for the journalists and said he would now be more available to meet them.
President Zardari said that over the years the media has matured a lot and hoped it will continue to grow in the times ahead.
He said the politicians too need to learn to face criticism, as they have a public life and the people also have a right to criticise their representatives.
The president recalled his numerous visits to China and mentioned the agreements inked between the two countries in many areas and expressed the hope that the new government would honour these.
He particularly mentioned the barter trade with China and stressed continuation of the policies for stronger bilateral ties.
President Zardari, referring to the result of the general elections, said that despite having issues with it “we accepted the results for the sake of democracy”. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk