Zardari vows to defeat terrorism and militancy

TOKYO : President Asif Ali Zardari Friday expressed and re-emphasized the commitment of the Government and people of Pakistan to defeat terrorism and militancy. In his address to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan, the President of Pakistan he outlined the steps the Government of Pakistan will take to stem the spread of extremism and to address the political, economic and security challenges confronting the country. He stressed that his Government and the international community will remain firm partners in confronting and eliminating terrorism, militancy and extremism. The President of Pakistan also expressed the commitment of the Government and people of Pakistan to achieve economic reform for further stability of the country. A Ministerial meeting of the Friends of Democratic was held under the chairmanship of President Zardari. The Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso addressed the meeting. The President of Pakistan and all the participants expressed their appreciation and deep gratitude to Prime Minister Taro Aso and the Government of Japan for the excellent arrangements made for the Ministerial meeting. The President of Pakistan expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people of Pakistan to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan for lending their individual and collective support to Pakistan enabling it to realize the vision of a democratic, progressive, welfare state, committed to the consolidation of democratic institutions, the rule of law, good governance, achieving socio-economic advancement, economic reform, and overcoming the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism. The meeting expressed its full support towards the enhancement of Pakistan’s inherent strength and capacity to meet the above challenges, individually and collectively, and with the support of international financial institutions. The meeting acknowledged the important role of Pakistan and the great sacrifices that Pakistani people had made in confronting the menace of terrorism and extremism as well as Pakistan’s strong commitment to become an anchor of stability and peace in the region as a whole.