Don't give us fish, teach us how to fish, Zardari asks world leaders

The Express Tribune

''ZARDARI...A great visionary leader misread and misunderstood by most of the Pakistani urban middle class due to a biased media trial of him. He is heading a party which, if allowed, can bring unity with diversity.''

President Asif Ali Zardari said on Friday that he has always asked world leaders to “teach us [Pakistan] how to fish rather than giving us a fish.”

Zardari was speaking in Karachi at the inauguration ceremony of Waseela-e-Haq-Sindh program. He said that during his meetings with international players, he talked about “trade and not aid.”

Speaking about the currency swap arrangement with Russia, China and Turkey, Zardari said he convinced countries to trade with Pakistan in local currency.

“My own state bank, however, was sceptical about the idea because it has the mindset of getting aid and preventing new approach,” he said.

BISP to create new middle class

According to the President, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will help raising the living standard of poor people and will create a new middle class.

“I was told that there are people who had earlier received money through BISP and are now in a position to return that amount,” Zardari said.