Poll preparations: Elections will be contested alongside allies says Zardari

Expresses condolence over Sandy’s destruction with new US envoy.

KARACHI:

President Asif Ali Zardari announced that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will fight the general election in collaboration with its allies, while promising that his party’s top priority was to restore law and order.

Addressing a meeting with acting Sindh Governor Nisar Ahmed Khoro and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at the Sindh Governor House on Wednesday, President Zardari advised the chief minister to remove the reservations of disgruntled government allies, adding that all issues should be resolved through dialogue.

He said his party is giving “top priority” to solving the energy crisis and eliminating poverty, inflation and unemployment.

The president said his government restored the 1973 constitution in its original form, hailing it as a great feat. He said that the next achievement will be holding timely, transparent and free and fair elections.

The meeting also reviewed relations between provincial government leaders, rehabilitation projects in rain-affected areas of Sindh, as well as development projects.

He directed Shah to ensure that all development projects are completed within the stipulated time.

Condolences over Sandy

At another meeting at Bilawal House with Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman, President Zardari expressed concern over the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, which has carved a path of destruction from the Caribbean to Canada, leaving at least 110 people dead.

President Zardari expressed grief over the loss of lives and the huge destruction caused by the superstorm, while also extending his sympathies with those affected by the cyclone. He also called for early rehabilitation of the victims.

The president also inquired about the wellbeing of the Pakistani community in the affected areas and advised the ambassador to provide all possible help to the victims.

Meanwhile, the ambassadors (designate) of USA, Hungary, Jordan, Belgium, Uzbekistan, Oman and the high commissioner (designate) of Canada presented their credentials to the president at a special ceremony held at Sindh Governor House on Wednesday.

Following the ceremony, the ambassadors and high commissioner held separate meetings with the president, during which they discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

According to a spokesman for Bilawal House in Karachi, President Zardari also expressed his concern and sympathy over the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy while meeting the new US ambassador, Richard Olson.

The spokesman added the US ambassador reportedly said that there was tremendous potential in Pakistan and the US wanted to work with Pakistan to increase economic opportunities, expand trade between the two, address Pakistan’s energy crisis and improve the quality of education and health care in the country.

Mushir Ali Shahid, director of public relations at Bilawal House, said that a delegation had accompanied Ambassador Olson for a brief conversation with President Zardari, following which they departed. “It was not a formal meeting between the President and the ambassador. They came and presented their credentials to work in Pakistan and the whole event took around 30 minutes.”

The envoys – Ambassador of Hungary designate Istvan Szabo, Ambassador of Jordan Maj Gen (retd) Nawaf Khalifeh Ibrahim Saraireh, Ambassador of Belgium Peter Ljf Claes, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Parvez Aliev, High Commissioner of Canada Greg Giokas and Ambassador of Oman Riyadh Ahmad Yousif Al-Raisi – were presented a Guard of Honour by a contingent of the Pakistan Army at the Governor House.

In diplomatic terms, the credentials are known as a letter of credence, which ambassadors provide to the head of the state stating their qualification, experience, training and information. After the approval by the head of the state, they officially commence their duty.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2012.