Pakistan

Militants will gain if leadership fails

President Zardari said this while speaking at a dinner hosted in honour of the editors at the Presidency.

August 17, 2010

ISLAMABAD: With the country reeling from the devastation of the worst floods in its history, President Asif Zardari warned on Monday that if the political leadership failed to lead the nation, extremists and militants could step in to fill the vacuum.

Speaking at a dinner hosted in honour of the editors of prominent national dailies at the Presidency, Asif Zardari said the political leadership should not be afraid of leading the nation even if in doing so they attract criticism.

Though the challenge thrown up by the natural calamity is unprecedented, the president voiced confidence that the whole nation along with all political groupings could rise together to overcome it.

Briefing journalists about the meeting, presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the damage caused by floods, relief and rehabilitation measures and UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s Pakistan visit were discussed. The role of the media in relief operations and ways and means to further streamline relief operations also came under discussion at the meeting.

The president said that the media can play a vital role in mobilising the public, the civil society and charity organisations to muster support for the relief and rehabilitation of victims and survivors.

President Zardari cautioned against politicising the unprecedented human miseries for political gains. “Any attempt by anyone to politicise this will be detrimental to the national cause and any effort aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people will serve (the national cause), he added.

Briefing editors on the catastrophe, the president said that 71 districts throughout the country had been hit by floods, including 24 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 19 in Sindh, eight in Punjab, seven in Azad Kashmir, seven in Gilgit-Baltistan and six in Balochistan. Close to 1,400 people have been killed, over 720,000 houses destroyed and over 1.2 million people adversely affected. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has suffered the most followed by Punjab and Sindh.

Referring to Ban Ki-moon’s visit, Zardari said that the UN chief has himself witnessed the extent of damage to life, property and infrastructure during a tour of the flood affected areas. “He assured us of all-out support on behalf of the UN to cope with the catastrophe,” he added.

“We will fight adversity and come out victorious,” the presidential spokesperson quoted Zardari as telling the editors.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (12)

Hamood | 14 years ago | Reply The governments in general and this government in particular has already failed. When you fail to provide your countrymen even the basic needs, the terrorists fill the vacuum. Most politicians couldn't be bothered about the plight of an average citizen as they are too busy looting the national exchequer.

Zahid | 14 years ago | Reply Failed leaders have grabbed power with the help of militants and lawyers. It's nature's revenge they will face wrath of their own supporters. All the leaders are either eliminated or forced to go abroad. We need a leader who can unite all of us and make us one nation. We need a leader who does not make money during his tenure. We need a leader for a life time. We need a leader who can guide to the path of success by inducting sincere team of technocrats. We need a leader who can tell the world that enough is enough (conspiracies) against us. Who can fight with with extremists and send them to hell. We need Pervaiz Musharraf.

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Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply Werent all official dinners and receptions cancelled? Are these the same editors of papers that have been critical of his leadership?

Zulfiqar Haider | 14 years ago | Reply The catastrophe as explained by the President is immense; 74 districts affected throughout Pakistan. The worst of all is the KPK province, where 24 districts have been affected and almost every part of the country is directly or indirectly affected from these floods. I hope the world is aware of all these facts, because foreign aid is necessary for the survival of 20 million affected people.

KM | 14 years ago | Reply Certainly a nation behind a corrupt government and the president, is actually corrupt itself to the core. It is ofcourse NOT a test but Allah wrath on us, who has had already instructed that he does not change the destiny of nations who do not have the urge to change themselves. No one needs to conspire against the corrupt, as it will itself perish and is bound to perish as promised in our faith.

mehdi army | 14 years ago | Reply No Muslim needs u Mr Zardari. We Muslims have already got an Ameer-ul-Momineen. Best option for u is to go back to your château in France & stay there till death.

Voice of Parachinar | 14 years ago | Reply Well done President Asif Ali Zardari, the way you are fighting terrorism, made the 18th Amendment possible, thrown out dictator from Presidency, gave identity to the Gilgit-Baltistan, renamed Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa and curing the wounds of the people of Baluchistan through farsighted visionary reconciliatory political policy. We are craving that the same way you will soon rehabilitate the victims of recent floods. Flood is test of our faith and a chance of rebuilding Pakistan with vision of Z.A Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. Mr. President! Do not look into the bias criticism of conspirators who all the time remain busy in inciting gaps and plotting in the fire of envy and jealousy. Go ahead a force of nation is behind you.

Tanzeel | 14 years ago | Reply Strengthening or weakening of militants is in the hands of Zardari Government, if PPP keeps disappointing the nation then indeed flood stricken people would take militants as their messiah. Flood is a blessing in disguise for all time low popular President Zardari, its the best chance for him to clean his hands by serving Pakistanis day and night. Let’s see whether he avails this opportunity…

Saad Farooq | 14 years ago | Reply Its heartening to see that our President realizes this thing, now for God's sake please Mr President let someone handle the situation, just leave his country to itself.

dar | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistan can itself face the flood calamity on its own without any foreign aid simply by plugging the corruption loopholes but present govt has neither the desire nor the will, to give an example Nato container scandel amounted to 250 billion FBR loss, enqiry was constituted but where is the result.To quote anthe example billions of duty draw back scandle as unearthed, inqury was simply an eye wash.I can go on counting example after example............

yousaf | 14 years ago | Reply Mr. Zardari you have already failed the Nation and you have no right to comment on this issue anymore. You wasted the precious little money Pakistan has in its coffers on your useless trips and now as International Beggers Pakistan will once again shamelessly ask the world to contribute. Has your government not made a laughing stock of this country when the United Nation says that they are facing problems to arrange funding due to poor perception about Pakistan. Allah will InshAllah punish all those who rather then serving this country, looted the poor man money.

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