Addressing the UN General Assembly Session‚President Zardari has called upon the international community not to become silent observer on the blasphemy
President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the acts of incitement of hate against the faith of billions of Muslims and the holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad [SAW].
Addressing the 67th session of UN General Assembly Session in New York‚ he urged the international community to punish the elements involved in desecration on the basis of religion.
The President asked the international community not to become silent observer on the acts of blasphemy and criminalize such acts that destroy the peace of the world and endanger world security by misusing freedom of expression.
He asked 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.
In his comprehensive address the President said terrorism and extremism have destroyed human lives‚ torn social fabric and devastated the economy.
He said Pakistan has rendered tremendous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and extremism. No country and no people have suffered more in the fight against terrorism‚ than Pakistan. We have lost over seven thousand Pakistani soldiers and policemen and over thirty seven thousand civilians.
The President said his wife who was the country's first elected woman leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was martyred through the bullets and bombs of terrorists.
He said those who 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‚ questioned the international community as to how much more sufferings Pakistan can endure.
Regretting the support extended to the dictators by the international community‚ the President said Pakistan's social fabric and its very character has been altered by the dictators.
The President said however democracy has brought about a major strategic shift in the cooperation from Pakistan in the war against terrorism.
Referring to the achievements of the government‚ the President said the parliament has passed unprecedented reforms. and restored the consensus 1973 constitution.
He said a truly independent election commission has been set up to ensure free‚ fair and transparent elections.
President Zardari said our media is free‚ uncensored and thriving whereas our civil society is flourishing under the protection of democracy.
Turning to foreign relations‚ President Zardari said Pakistan is engaged with the countries of the region to promote peace and stability.
He said Pakistan's strategic partnership with China is growing from strength to strength.
The President 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.
The President said Pakistan will host a quadrilateral summit next month and it has already signed Afghan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement to fulfill our commitment to regional connectivity.
About relations with India‚ President Zardari said we approach this relationship on mutual trust and the contacts between the leadership of the two countries are expanding.
He said Pakistan's principled position on territorial disputes remains a bedrock of our foreign policy and we will continue to support the right of the people of Jammu & Kashmir to peacefully choose their destiny in accordance with the UN Security Council's long-standing resolutions.
The President said by normalizing trade relations Pakistan wants 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‚ the President said Pakistan favor the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
He said Pakistan's election to the Security Council reflects its commitment to world peace. He said the UN represents our common aspirations for peace and development and its system must become more democratic and more accountable.
The President reiterated Pakistan seeks trade rather than aid and the European Union has sent a positive message by granting concessions to Pakistan.
