President Hussain while speaking at an ‘Independence Day’ event on Friday. PHOTO: INP
President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday counted corruption and illiteracy among the major challenges that the nation must fight against along with terrorism in its journey towards economic prosperity.
“Illiteracy and corruption are some of the many challenges that our country is facing. However, we will soon have to overcome these challenges,” President Hussain said while speaking at an ‘Independence Day’ event on Friday.
He said corruption and malpractices had put Pakistan’s economic prosperity and administrative structure on the backburner. “It is time to kick off a serious crackdown against corrupt people in Pakistan,” he added.
The president said despite facing a number of challenges, the nation stands alongside the Pakistan Army against the menace of terrorism. He recalled the December 16 massacre at a military-run school in Peshawar and pledged to continue the war against those who challenged writ of the state. “The war against terrorism will continue until terrorism is eliminated from the country,” he said.
Mamnoon said the government has shown strong political will to purge various areas and cities from the menace of lawlessness, terrorism and extremism. He said it was part of this resolve that the Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies were performing their responsibilities in an effective manner to bringing peace in the country.
The president also spoke about the Indian forces’ aggressiveness on the Eastern border and said the government would not compromise over its defence line, if there was any threat.
‘Open heart’ on Kashmir
He also urged India to come up with an open heart to resolve the core issue of Kashmir. “Pakistan wants to resolve all the longstanding disputes with India, including that of Kashmir, through dialogue,” he said.
President Manoon Hussian said business activities in Pakistan were increasing, generating investment opportunities for the investors especially the foreign investors, who, he said, were rushing to invest in country. “On the economic front, the government has adopted solid policies for the economic turnaround,” he said.
He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not only in favour of Pakistan but the whole region would get the benefits of the project. “The CPEC will bring prosperity in the region,” he said, adding: “The whole nation stands united against anti-state elements who don’t want early execution of this economic corridor. We are ready to remove all the obstacles in way of this project.”
Remembering the sacrifices of the Muslims of Indian subcontinent, he urged the Pakistani nation to follow in the footsteps of the nation’s forefathers and work together for the betterment of the country.
The president warned against the anti-state elements, which, he said, are posing serious threats to national unity. He also counted other challenges faced by the nation including flood, natural disasters and miseries of internally displace persons.
The president lauded the ‘culture of tolerance’ among the political parties, adding that unanimous decisions were being taken on national issues, which, he said, was a good sign.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2015.
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