Easing trade restrictions: Socialist International calls on Zardari

KARACHI: The Socialist International, an organisation that counts 162 political parties and groups from around the world as its members, has invited President Asif Ali Zardari to deliver a keynote address at its Congress in September 2012. Luis Ayala, Socialist International’s secretary general, extended the invitation to the president during his visit to the Bilawal House here on Monday. President Zardari impressed upon the Socialist International, which includes many members of the European Parliament, the need for loosening various trade restrictions imposed by the European Union on Pakistan. He added that socio-economic development would advance the goals of freedom, justice and peace and help defeat militancy in the country. Ayala lauded Pakistan’s role in the war against terror and its efforts to support peace activities in Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2012.