Terrorism requires global response: Zardari

President dismisses claims that Pakistan has no clear strategy to fight militancy.


April 13, 2011

ANKARA:


President Asif Ali Zardari, while calling terrorism ‘a curse’ with ‘no faith or creed,’ on Tuesday underscored that terrorism is a global problem and, as such, it requires a global response.


“It is a toxic brew that thrives on a perceived sense of injustice, economic deprivation and marginalisation. Today, many countries around the world are facing this menace,” said the president in an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman.

He dismissed claims that his country had no clear strategy to deal with terrorism. Noting that there was a national consensus on how to counter terrorism and extremism in Pakistan, Zardari explained what he called the ‘3 Ds’ strategy – Dialogue, Development, and Deterrence – to fight terrorism.

“We have offered dialogue and amnesty to all those who renounce violence. We have undertaken development projects and are building more schools, hospitals and roads in the relatively underdeveloped and affected areas. At the same time, our armed forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by popular support and democratic legitimacy, are fighting hardcore terrorists and extremists,” he said.

As for relations with India, Zardari said he believed dialogue was the only way to normalise ties with the neighbouring country, stressing that Pakistan was committed to a “serious, sustained and constructive engagement with India.”

“The two countries have decided to resume dialogue on all outstanding issues,” he said, adding: “It is important for the two sides to build an atmosphere of mutual trust to resolve all our disputes, including the core Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir. This would usher in a new era for the people of South Asia and bring much needed peace and stability to our region.”

He said the challenges confronted by Pakistan arising out of the historical evolution of Afghanistan crises need to be understood and appreciated by the international community. “Today, Pakistan’s security forces have suffered more casualties than the NATO forces combined in Afghanistan.

President Zardari also said that Pakistan admired Turkey’s progress in democratic consolidation and economic achievements and its positive role in resolving regional issues.

“The maturity of Turkish democracy and its economic achievements are greatly admired in Pakistan,” he added.  “Turkey has emerged as a major power in the region. Being part of Asia and Europe, it serves as a bridge between the East and the West.”

Zardari also praised Turkey’s initiative in recent years and acknowledged the role Turkey played in international and regional forums.

“We appreciate Turkey’s positive role and initiatives for resolving regional issues. Turkey’s stance in forums like the United Nations, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), G-20, the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is indeed worth appreciation,” he stated.

Stressing that his country was left to deal with problems emanating from the Cold War era, the President said they have paid a hefty price in the form of drug trafficking and weapons culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2011.

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