President Zardari emphasizes the need to defeat the negative mindset to save Pakistan

Radi Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari

emphasized the need to defeat the negative mindset to save Pakistan.

Addressing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in Peshawar this afternoon‚ he said Pakistan has a very strategic location and we need stability to take advantage of the immense opportunities. At the outset‚ the President strongly condemned attack on leader of Jamat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad. The President said completion of five years by the present assemblies is a tribute to the maturity of parliamentarians and politicians who demonstrated tolerance and accommodation. He said the democratic process is progressing ahead due to sacrifices rendered by political workers and armed forces. The President lauded the sacrifices of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the security forces in fighting the negative mindset. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari said he entered politics after a particular mindset martyred Benazir Bhutto. He said democracy is the real revenge as demonstrated by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and he himself. The President said democracy comes through evolution and the country needs practicing democracy as we see today. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has necessary potential to develop and prosper as it is bestowed with natural resources like oil and gas‚ copper and chromites. He said the province was once abode of peace where there was no theft or robbery but today the situation has changed due to negative thinking and law and order situation is hampering development of the province. The President asked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to prepare its police to take up the challenge of security as army cannot remain there for ever. President Zardari said his policy of taking all forces and federating units along has given a sense of participation in the people of Pakistan in the affairs of the state. He said he gave NFC Award and empowered parliament and the provinces. The President said he pursued the policy of reconciliation and voluntarily handed over his powers to the parliament to strengthen internal harmony. He said the country cannot be harmed by external forces if it is united and strong. He said he strongly believes that the federation would become stronger if provinces are strong and stable. The President said it was an honour for him to address the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Karamatullah Chagharmati‚ while welcoming the President in the House‚ said that President Asif Ali Zardari is the first ever president who addressed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. He said that the gesture shown by the president has proved that he is complete democratic and "awami" president. He said the policy of reconciliation adopted by the president is acknowledged by the entire nation and the assemblies are going to complete their term as result of this policy. Karamatullah Chagharmati highly appreciated the political sagacity of the president for giving identity to pakhtuns by giving the name Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the province and thanked him on behalf of entire people of the province. Welcoming the President Asif Ali Zardari‚ leader of the house and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti termed the address of the President to the Provincial Assembly a historic event. He said that President Asif Ali Zardari has always supported the government and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at every occasion.Leader of the opposition‚ Akram Khan Durrani said that the members of all the political parties and independent members are present in the house which demonstrate the rich tradition of Pakhtuns. He appreciated President Zardari for delegating his powers to the parliament which he described as the greatness of the President. He stressed the need for resolving the issue of terrorism and militancy politically.President Asif Ali Zardari attended a meeting on FATA reforms in Peshawar today. The president was briefed on law and order situation and development projects in FATA. Participants of the meeting said a special package would be announced for the families hit by terrorism. The meeting also proposed setting up of medical colleges and I.T university in the tribal areas.