News
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Parliament gave president role in politics: Zardari
* President says he has transferred all his powers including control of nuclear assets to parliament
* Solution to drone issue can be found through diplomatic means
ISLAMABAD: Addressing a conference of young leaders in Islamabad, President Asif Zardari on Tuesday said that the parliament had decided that the president should have a certain political role, while the rest of his role should rest with parliament.
President Zardari said the people of Pakistan were fighting war against the same mindset that had attacked young Malala Yousufzai and continued ruining the country’s peace. Zardari called upon the young attendees to also challenge this mindset to safeguard themselves and their future generations.
The president added that it was his government’s priority to empower people and provinces for strengthen the federation and safeguarding future of coming generations.
Moreover, he added that the government was not only pursuing a policy of reconciliation inside the country, but was also taking steps to reduce tension and improve relations with neighbouring India.
“The first thing I did after assuming office was to create consensus in the Parliament for the empowerment of the people,” the President said while addressing the second ‘Pakistan Leaders of Tomorrow’ conference at the Presidency. It was organised by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the special initiative of President Zardari.
He said that he voluntarily gave all the powers of the Presidency to the Parliament in order to strengthen democracy in the country.
Referring to geo-strategic environment, the President said that the attempts were being made to weaken Pakistan, but he strengthened federating units in order to strengthen the country, promote unity and harmony, and to counter those designs.
The president said the government not only pursued policy of reconciliation at home but also took steps to improve its relations with the neighboring countries.
He said the government, from day one, has emphasized on “trade not aid” to address Pakistan’s economic problems.
“We believe in increased trade as it contributes to peace and development,” he added.
The president said Pakistan was facing a great challenge from the mindset that attacked Malala Yousafzai in Swat.
He urged the youth to take up the challenge and fight this mindset as it is threatening the country and the future generations. Appreciating the potential of youth in Pakistan, the president said, “It is time that every one should not think what the country has given to him but every one should think what we have given to the country.”
President Zardari said, “Energy is the driver of economy and growth but we are facing energy crisis”. He said without blaming anyone for the present ills and the current situation, it was important that leaders of today take the responsibility to address the problem.
The later part of the President’s speech turned into an interactive session when the president invited the students to ask questions.
To his voluntarily transfer of powers to parliament, the president said he even transferred the control of the nuclear power and entrusted it to the parliament.
He said collective wisdom is always better than individual wisdom; therefore, the PPP always adopted the policy of reconciliation and empowered the parliament, which is the true representative of the people of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called upon all political parties to unite and cooperate each other to fight terrorism for the sake of safe and secure future of the country.
“Pakistan has been facing menace of extremism and terrorism and there is a need for united efforts by all the political forces to face this challenges,” Bilawal said.
Referring to joint responsibilities to face the threat of terrorism, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that keeping in view the importance of the issue, the PPP put the old difference with other political forces aside and unite against this common enemy. He said, “We have to protect Jinnah’s Pakistan from the threat of the Taliban.”
He said the PML-N has been part of the coalition in the initial months and the government was able to built the necessary consensus in the country that allowed it to end Taliban rule in Swat and raise the flag of Pakistan there once again.
Bilawal said he was certain that Nawaz Sharif was genuinely an ally in supporting democracy in the country. agenciesCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk