Screengrab of Mamnoon Hussain in his address to the press after his visit to Mazar-e-Quaid.
Speaking to the media after visiting Mazar-e-Quaid, he said that “all (political) parties need to play a role” to enact positive change in the country, and identified an improvement in the law and order situation in Karachi as a prerequisite for economic development in Pakistan.
He added that the Pakistani people need to be patient as it will take time to control issues such as inflation and load shedding, stating that prices have increased due in large to the amount of money that was printed by the former government.
The president said that it will take between 3-3.5 years for electricity rates to go down, and projects to ensure lower rates were already underway.
Responding to a question regarding his origin from Sindh, President Hussain said, “I am from Karachi, Sindh, but my base is Pakistan,” stressing that a reason for the divide between Pakistani people is labels beyond Pakistani, such as Sindhi, which should be avoided.
PM Nawaz visits US
Speaking about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the United States, President Hussain said that Nawaz will speak to US Secretary of State John Kerry and US President Barack Obama about drone strikes and trade between the two countries.
“Drone strikes have proven to be a problem, not a solution, time and time again,” said the president, adding that Nawaz will once again address this issue during his visit.
He further said that improving trade between the US and Pakistan is also on Nawaz’s agenda, adding that both countries are currently on good terms.
Line of Control
The president said that he believed that the upcoming elections in India were the cause behind the increased violence across the Line of Control.
He said that "election gimmicks" by India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an attempt to gain favour of voters had kept their government occupied.
He also expressed hope that the problem will resolve itself after the elections in India are over adding that a strict warning had already been issued to the neighbouring country warning of a "tit-for-tat" situation which would force Pakistan to respond with violence.
President Hussain concluded his speech saying “we (Pakistanis) should focus on the positive and stop saying negative things.”
COMMENTS (48)
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@Hedgefunder: Let me name a few- China, Sri Lanka And also most of the countries in the OIC which there are 58 of. The only countries that pakistan has real problems with are.... America, Israel and India other then that not really anyone
@nrmr44: As for the BRICS here is my reply in the form of the links below.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/will-indonesia-replace-india-in-the-brics/258336-7.html
http://www.cnbc.com/id/47423993
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-stands-out-among-bric-nations/812263/
@nrmr44: @Hedgefunder: If you don't believe in what i have written(in fact i quoted the statement from S&P), here are a few more links to substantiate my words. We are not living in a Xanadu or idealistic world. You people need to come out of living in the Utopian world of shining and Incredible India.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/india/130820/analysis-india-totally-screwed
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-23282350
@Zen.one: I suggest you start looking for your Shangrila or Xanadu, as its obvious that you are well out of your depth and Economics or Finance are not your Forte !
@Zen.one: On the dot! Absolutely correct. Pakistan is the new economic superpower. They only call it BRICS because no one can pronounce BRPCS. How much money is the IMF trying to prise from Pakistan this month?
@Darkistan on east: "Its not 1971 anymore .. " You obviously move with the times! And Pakistan has finally closed the military gap with India, has it? Now catch up with the TTP if you can.
India is about to get the Junk economy status by Standard & Poor's. The economy is on a free fall. All this hoopla about shining India veneer finally wearing off. Pakistan Economy is more resilient and even in its worst time is growing at a rate of 3.8%-4%. Pakistan banking sector is going strong and the fact that most of the industrial sector derive its strength from agriculture(like textiles), it will sustain the bad patch. It is the worst of times...it is the best of times, it is the spring of hope...it is the winter of despair.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-06/caviar-off-the-menu-for-indian-officials-as-junk-rating-looms.html
http://zeenews.india.com/business/news/economy/sandp-warns-may-downgrade-india-to-junk-status_83182.html
@wondering?: Yes ! I am real, sitting in my house in London on very rainy damp evening on Sunday. .Its a shame that, this Nation has doctored its own history and taught that rubbish to generations of people, who simply have taken it as gospel and simply can not face the reality or facts ! Such sad state of affairs !
@Hedgefunder " @Darkistan on east: This illusion, will be your Nation’s downfall ! By the way I am a subject of HM The Queen. But am reviewing the situation as I see it. I don’t have to refer to history, as I am well aware and was taught actual history and had access to the facts, rather than one made up for generations to be taught in
" Hedgefunder, Are you for real? You seem to factual to be real. //Rgds if you mean what you have said so far //Regards again.
Interesting, he wants betterment , but will unleash "violence" against India. All these humiliations are not lesson enough for Pakistan. Next time,there will be no mercy.Have Pakistanis looked into the mirror?. The sht hit the ceiling long time ago and he wants war!.The army puppet from Pakistani elite should keep the trap shut, India is the people...response will be massive and hope you dont show us your pencil nukes. In that case, you can expect a nuclear cloud over Arabia first, you next.
@optimist: Libyan PM actually, but your point is valid.
Is that how the ruling bunch are consoling themselves these days? Do they mean since it can't get any worse they don't have to do much and it will improve anyway? Why do we always get these clueless idiots? Mr. President we can still go the way of Egypt, Libya or Syria. There are countless imaginable ways in which Pakistan can get much, much worse. All you have to do is stay in denial and they will materialize.
Listen to your President. He knows Pakistan and is concerned about its future, as is the rest of the world. No body wants a bunch of taliban running around with nuclear weapons, which they may just use against their own homeland. They continue to target Pakistan and unless you deal with them, there is no future for you.
President Mamnoon Hussain has no clue what he is talking about. Whether Modi becomes the next PM or not, the BJP will be bringing home many more seats into the parliament. This means a far more hawkish foreign and defense policy. There will be no more glad-handing, back thumping and kissing up sessions that MMS has been indulging Pakistan with. The problems of Pakistan have just started. The biggest challenge for Pakistan in the coming three decades will be water and Pakistan should not expect any benevolence from India. India will take every drop of water it can from the rivers whether it is legal, moral or otherwise. Any ruling by world bodies will be just that. India will meet any threat of war with counter threats and there is nothing Pakistan can do. In short things are not going to be very good moving forward.
That is positive, negative, what? Entertaining times!
Yes he is right what could be worse than having NS as a PM and him as a President of Pakistan.
Believe me , it can!
Could anyone please tell me whether the kidnapped sons of late Salman Taseer and former Pakistan PM. Mr Gilani have been freed? no hate messages please.
@Darkistan on east: This illusion, will be your Nation's downfall ! By the way I am a subject of HM The Queen. But am reviewing the situation as I see it. I don't have to refer to history, as I am well aware and was taught actual history and had access to the facts, rather than one made up for generations to be taught in Pakistan.
Labanese prime minister was recently abducted by Islamist gunmen. . Is Mr President waiting to go that low?
By claiming "Pakistan will improve as the country is in such a bad state that it cannot get any worse” President Mamnoon Hussain is vastly underestimating the capacity of our 'leaders' to mess things up, especially when that capacity is coupled with unrelenting greed, and when instead of one, two or just a few, there is a whole tribe of relatives, friends and business associates trying to make its fortune out of this greatly impoverished country.
Karachi
Nobody want Pakistanis with their strange and weird mind set! Packing the suit cases was much easier before Brother Osama made world a very small place for Muslims especially Pakistanis. Jeena Yahan Marna Yehan! No Zinda Baag any more. Even countries like Somalia, Male, Sudan, Yemen and others have imposed very strict visa restrictions on Pakistanis.
Although my earlier comment is very pessimistic (and for the right reasons), but that should not fool the outsiders :) Pakistan would be saved by Pakistanis (the average citizens) with souls and aspirations radiant than the sun. We love and adore our country. And inshallah will see better days soon!
Oh really? This is PAKISTAN. Here you never know Mr. Mamnoon. Stop giving us false hopes. Daydreaming isn't going to solve our problems.
@hedgefunder My comment was not directed towards you but I guess it hit a raw nerve. Its not 1971 anymore and there is no 1000 miles enemy territory between east and west of the country that the enemy can take advantage of. We are at countering the foreign funded insurgency in NW and balochistan and stopping the cockroaches crossing across the border from the western side. Problem is the tax money from your side is going a long way in funding them. I guess you should use your hedge funds to make toilets as NaMo says instead of funding the insurgency in pak.
95% of Pakistanis think highly of KSA. Load shedding. Disastrous floodings. Exploding population. An education system based on lies that turns us into to hateful creatures. Saudis given free reign to spread their anti-Shia propaganda. Educated people shower murders with flowers. Etc. Etc. And we have hit the bottom.
"tit for tat"... LOL.... 4 jang haar gaye... "tit for tat" it seems.... LOL
1 more year of a Nawaz Sharif Govt and you will see how easily it will get worse. Sad
BUT BUT .. We are yet to eat grass! ..We have miles to go before we eat grass...
@Samad: Then please be the first one to pack the get the heck out of here. Love Pakistan or leave Pakistan!
@Darkistan on east: Yes its all very brave and passionate ! First stand up and start paying Taxes, deal with those Non Sate Actors & Cockroaches that you have created, while you are at it, see if you can actually step into NW and claim it back, then perhaps there is little hope for this failed third rate Nation !
3 months into the PML-N government the question was asked : What makes the previous PPP-Z government look good ? and the answer was : A PML-N government. So Sir mouthing platitudes like this only diminishes the stature of your office.
@Samad: One question, leave for where ? I don't know of any countries that invite Pakistanis with open arms ! We have just learned to tolerate those that are here, and not really been main stream part of society nor have they contributed much to economic or social welfare of the Nation ! They do know how to apply for benefits and obtain free housing and create large families, not much else, as to contributing to Taxation, well one has to work first !
@Samad: "We have been thinking Pakistan cant get any worse since Musharraf left. Each year we have become worse and yet again we are headed in that way. Its time we all realized that and packed our bags and leave this country to the dogs who run this country. " . "Dogs" have all ready found some cheap accommodation in Surrey Mansion and apartments on Park Lane. . Every dog has his day as the saying goes.
To this, Sharif Inc. has only one things to say:
"Challenge Accepted" !!!!!
I would not bet even my one dollar on your statement! PK has all the potential to go down worst than Somalia. Combination of religion and state is suicidal in fact homicidal which we see all over PK. Zia must be smiling in his grave!
There is little hope where President relies on HOPE after a Hajj paid for by poor tax payers !
Who wants to bet? Pakistanis will pull out togather from this chaos as a more strong and fortified nation. Although thousands cuts have been inflicted on this nation but the guys who love this country are too passionate to let it go. So the wishful thinkers and people from the east will be proven wrong.
We have been thinking Pakistan cant get any worse since Musharraf left. Each year we have become worse and yet again we are headed in that way. Its time we all realized that and packed our bags and leave this country to the dogs who run this country.
Do you want to bet ? In fact I don't think this Nation will exist in its present form in next decade or so !
'Pakistan cannot get any worse'. It can Mr President as many leading analysts from the Western world have predicted that the country will disintegrate again, which hasn't happened so far.
Straightforward reply on loadshedding one should clearly state the true picture of the country being ruler of the country that s what mamnoon sahab is doing hope for the best InshaALLAH PMLN will deliver
"is in such a bad state that it cannot get any worse”.
A case of blind optimism? I thought Pakistan had hit rock-bottom 20 years ago. Trust me, Mr President, there is always room to go even lower.
Ofcourse,how can it get any worse when you along with your friends,cohorts,blue eyed boys,grand children,family and extended family goes to perform "Hajj" on official expenditure. Please do your job which happens to be lip service,for those who handpicked yourself for the office of the President.And please excuse us lessons while you are it.
There are still many surveys/ lists left in the world where we are not at the bottom yet. So I don't believe the worse is over yet.
"Wishful Thinking"