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Summary The president strongly condemned the acts of incitement of hate against the faith of Muslims.
President Asif Ali Zardari has called upon the international community not to become silent observer on the blasphemy and criminalise such acts that destroy the peace of the world and endanger its security by misusing freedom of expression.Addressing the 67th session of UN General Assembly session in New York ‚ he strongly condemned the acts of incitement of hate against the faith of billions of Muslims and the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH).He urged the United Nations to immediately address in earnest this alarming concern and the widening rift to enable the comity of nations to be one again.Recounting the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism‚ the president said no country and no people have suffered more in the epic struggle against terrorism‚ than Pakistan.He said we have lost over seven thousand Pakistani soldiers and policemen and over thirty seven thousand civilians. He said his wife who was the countrys first elected woman leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was martyred through the bullets and bombs of terrorists.We have lost our Minister for Minority Affairs‚ Shahbaz Bhatti and Governor Punjab Salmaan to the mindset of extremism.The president said drone strikes and civilian casualties on our territory add to the complexity of our battle for hearts and minds through this epic struggle.He said those say Pakistan has not done enough should not insult the memory of our dead and the pain of our living. He said the world should stop telling Pakistan to do more‚ questioning how much more suffering can Pakistan endure.He said terrorism and extremism have destroyed human lives‚ torn social fabric‚ and devastated the economy. Our economy‚ our lives‚ our ability to live in the shadow of our Sufi saints and our freedom-loving forefathers have been challenged. He forcefully said we and our soldiers have responded.Regretting the support extended to the dictators by the international community‚ the president said these dictators and their regimes are responsible for suffocating and throttling Pakistan‚ Pakistans institutions‚ and Pakistani democracy. He said Pakistans social fabric and its very character has been altered. Our condition today is a product of dictatorships.He however said democracy has brought about a major strategic shift in Pakistan. He said the present civilian government in Pakistan will be the first one in sixty-six year history to complete its full‚ five year term.Referring to the achievements of the incumbent set up in Pakistan‚ he said the parliament has passed unprecedented reforms. We have restored the consensus 1973 constitution.He said a truly independent election commission has been set up to ensure free‚ fair and transparent elections. Our media is free‚ uncensored and thriving. Our civil society is flourishing under the protection of democracy. He said he is committed to a permanent democratic future for Pakistan despite all the odds.Turning to relations with the regional countries‚ President Zardari said Pakistans strategic partnership with China is growing from strength to strength.Regarding Afghanistan‚ he said we have begun to engage and deepen our friendship with the entire range of the Afghan political spectrum. We believe that a sovereign‚ stable and secure Afghanistan is good for the Afghan people as well as for Pakistan. He said a brighter Afghan future will only be possible when the search for peace is Afghan-owned‚ Afghan-driven and Afghan-led. We respect and support the efforts of the government of Afghanistan for reconciliation and peace. Pakistan will support in every way possible‚ any process that reflects Afghan national consensus.He said our hearts and homes remain open to our Afghan brothers but it is imperative that the international community support the three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan in their quest to return home with dignity.About relations with India‚ President Zardari said we approach this relationship on mutual trust. The contacts between our leadership are expanding. He said our principled position on territorial disputes remains a bedrock of our foreign policy.We will continue to support the right of the people of Jammu & Kashmir to peacefully choose their destiny in accordance with the UN Security Councils long-standing resolutions on this matter. Kashmir remains a symbol of the failures‚ rather than strengths of the UN system.He said resolution of these issues can only be arrived in an environment of cooperation. By normalizing trade relations we want to create a regional South Asian narrative that will mutually benefit the countries of our region.Reiterating support for the rights of the Palestinian people and an independent Palestinian State‚ he said se also favor the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations. He said we must pursue the peaceful settlement of international disputes and safe our current and future generations from the horrors of war.He said Pakistans election to the security council reflects its commitment to world peace. He said the UN represents our common aspirations for peace and development. However‚ it needs reform. The UN system must become more democratic and more accountable. Reform should be based on consensus and democratic principles.Emphasizing the need for Regional cooperation and connectivity‚ he said it will make us stakeholders in each others futures. He said we are hosting a quadrilateral summit next month and we have already signed Afghan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement to fulfill our commitment to regional connectivity.The president reiterated that we seek trade rather than aid. By granting trade concession to Pakistan‚ the EU has sent a positive message. The trade concessions will help us revive the economy and fight terrorism.Referring to the threats posed by heroin‚ President Zardari said despite the presence of international forces in Afghanistan‚ the size of the heroin trade has increased by 3000% in the last decade. He said the terrorist activities within our region and indeed all over the world are funded and fueled by the unrestricted production and sale of illegal drugs.He said Pakistan has pursued an ambitious agenda to control this menace. We are coordinating with our neighbors and will hold a conference later this year to develop a unified approach to stamping out this drug trade. He called upon the UN and the countries engaged in the region to play their role for eradication of drug trade.President Zardari said collective efforts are required to face the enormous challenges such as poverty and climate change and to provide a better future to the people.
