No consensus, no war against militants: Zardari
Addressing the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) conference in Islamabad, Zardari talked about the challenges his government faces with regards to military operation and other national issues.
“It’s easy to be emotional, it is easy to take a country to war, but you don’t ride a tiger until you are sure when to get off,” he said.
Emphasising the need of consensus to address problems, Zardari said that his government had guided the nation towards Swat and South Waziristan operations only because there was national agreement.
“But today, we don’t have consensus,” he said.
“We agree we need to take on this mission, but are we ready to accept a possible blowback?” the president further questioned.
Polarised Pakistan
Speaking about the country’s polarisation, Zardari reminded the audience of the time when Punjab Governor Salman Taseer was killed and how many sided with his family.
“Taseer’s son was kidnapped, how many people tried to help his family? The answer is very few,” he added.
He further stated the there was not even a “single lawyer” willing to fight for Taseer.
Reconciliation
The president reiterated his stance on reconciliation and said that “if we don’t reconcile amongst ourselves, we cannot reconcile with other countries.”
“We need to accommodate other nations,” he stressed.
Stating that his tenure is not a perfect one, Zardari said that this is true for all the governments across the world. He emphasised that the problems faced by Pakistan are different than those faced by other countries.
“Your expectations are internet expectations; my working circumstances are tribal, feudal and political,” he told the audience.
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There's no consensus with the country about the decisions that have led the country into abject economic strife, massive electricity shortage, high levels of poverty, extremism, and so on. Again, there's no consensus with the country when it comes to the amounts politicians line their pockets with.
Zardari is pretty much avoiding the issue because no leader in Pakistan is brave enough to take the much needed step of effectively tackling militancy in the country. Forget consensus - take out these militants through military and covert means immediately. Everyone keeps on harping on about 'sovereignty' but ignore the fact that large swathes of our border with Afghanistan are effectively in the control of barbarians.
@shahzad: Balochistan? Perhaps we do need consensus..
Zardari at his Best :D lol
@gp65: "No consensus was sought when attacking India in 1965 or while terrorizing the people of East Bengal or while joining....." Better can not be said.
@p r sharma: Agreed.
Mr president you are commander inchief of the Armed forces of Pakistan. Enough reason for you to order the armed forces to launch a comprehensive war against terrorists.Or should we assume that armed forces are not under your control.,not under the control of government.If india, for example, attack Pakistan should we wait until a consenses is developed to strike back.President, prime minister or army chief calling for consences shows a signe of weakness and utter hoplesness.You are the President you order the armed forces to launch a war if army dissobey your order then you take the nation into confidence. Let us see who is loyal to the nation
war is not fought in battle field only. In the case of TTP/ Taliban a war should be fought against the Taliban's ideology in the town, in mosques, in madarassas. No consensus of political parties is required for it
Pakistan is clearly trying to avoid the inevitable but for how long and at what cost ? Pakistan by making this announcement has again defaulted in fulfilling its international obligations, failed in providing security to its own people and missed a golden opportunity to eliminating terrorism in the country and regaining sovereignty in NW. This decision will most likely result in further deterioration of relations with US and stoppage or reduction of much needed foreign aid to Pakistan.
Lets keep watching the beautiful movie of murders of Hazara,Lawyers,doctors,journalists and many malalas while our Highly competent government creates consensus.
So, what does this mean? Back to normal? Bombings and more targeting of children by the Taliban?
Hahahaha remind me again why we elect the government to make these decisions again? They dont even have a proper consensus on the population of our country !
The policy of consensus is the right step, I would also like to add one thing that we must as a nation define what kind of society we would like to build and defeat the ideology of intolerance and extremism and this will take each of us to put some effort. The politcal parties needs come out with the clear stance on this and we all have to support each other moving forward.
No consensus was sought when attacking India in 1965 or while terrorizing the people of East Bengal or while joining the Afghan jihad or launching Kargill in the midst of peace talks. Now when for the first time you are under attack you need consensus to fight back? Strange.l
Consensus or not - the militants are at war with you.
It is correct that there is no consensus and that a major operation should be preceded by a consensus (more or less) but the real question is what is the government and the military doing to create this consensus? Has the ISPR come forward with the list of the Taliban's crimes on prime time and educated or informed the populace about who they are and what they are doing? Have the people ever been told by those whom they trust (read the army) how our sovreignity no longer exists in FATA? The only efforts at building a consensus are by the supporters or apologists of the Taliban and they are doing a good job. No Mr. President, if you are serious about this then ask the men under your command, as their Supreme Commander, to stop playing games and clean up the mess they have created in the first place. Consensus creation will follow when the dirty tricks brigade will get into action.
“Your expectations are internet expectations; my working circumstances are tribal, feudal and political."
Definitely a resounding NO. So the question is Mr. President, what have you done to change the current circumstances of tribal, feudal and heridatorypolitics? Have you moved away by introducing democratic intra-party elections within PPP instead of nominating Bilawal as chairman, his only qualification being he is the son of BB?
Our generation is not going to let this kinship and kingship to prevail inshallah, so if you are sincere with the country better aspire to respect our expectations of current internet generation, and try to leave a legacy that people remember you for good for generations to come, instead of present generation come and get you out for good.
Thank you Imran for giving Zardari a way out of actually trying to take care of this problem. Youre the biggest disappointment of all Imran Khan because people actually had some hope in you!
A government needs to do what is right; not wait for a consensus which might never come.
Zardari knows that the people of Pakistan are stupid, as did Musharraf. Both know what needed to be done, but why do it when you can lead a easy, comfortable life abroad instead?
President was at his best.
History shows President is always right.
Like Kalabagh Dam project, it will never happen.
It can be called a good political statement which is true also. But you can not call it a statement from a successful statesman. Every one knows Pakistan is still infested with feudal and tribal traditions. Independence came simultaneously in India and Pakistan. Why feudal and tribal traditions vanished in neighbouring country? Credit goes to political leadership which proved to be successful statesmanship also. Mr President, you with very intelligent moves remained successful to enjoy your tenure mandate. But write it some where on the wall. The history will never judge your from this angle. It will always be the contributions made by you for the country which will raise your stature in the future history of Pakistan. Regrettably from that angle you have an empty basket.
Mr. President - many could not openly speak for the honorable Mr. Taseer because of the violence of these anti-state people. Any lawyer wanting to stand up would risk their death. Consensus is less important than establishing rule of law and stamping out these people once and for all.
“It’s easy to be emotional, it is easy to take a country to war, but you don’t ride a tiger until you are sure when to get off,”
The President nailed it !!!
Well done President Zardari.... but tell us... how will you take Nawaz and Imran, and other religious parties on board, who are afraid of being attacked.... or rely on religious vote???
Many pertinent questions asked by Mr. President. Excellent.
More cowardice, you dont need to go to war, but you can atleast start by fighting them idelogically. Or are you waiting for a population that believes in HAARP to sign off on that?
Was Pakistan created with consensus? Instead of waiting for consensus, act before It's too late.
I wonder who told him to say that ?.........no points for the right answer.
Hon President if you wait for a consensus there will be nothing to fight about or fight for except your life. How will procrastination help ?
Although I'm not a PPP fan but this is the first time I totally agree with Mr. Zardari.
"We will have to fight the war against militants today or tomorrow, but we will do so when there is a national consensus"...more like never.