Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. PHOTO: Express News/ File
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday called for a collective effort to “strengthen the hands of the establishment”, saying political stability, economic self-reliance and institutional strength were essential to steer the country forward.
Addressing a public gathering in the Moro town of Sindh’s Naushahro Feroze district during a visit to Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar’s residence, the President said Pakistan needed to strengthen both the state and its institutions while focusing on long-term economic progress and public welfare.
“We will together strengthen the hands of the establishment, strengthen our own hands and strengthen the country,” President Zardari said while addressing party workers and local residents.
He added that “governing the country is the real challenge”.
Emphasizing the need to empower people economically, the President said the agriculture sector must adopt modern technology in line with contemporary requirements.
He said Pakistan needed to ensure food self-sufficiency and strengthen its economy to become more stable and resilient.
He said there were efforts to improve agriculture, increase yield per acre. hectares, raise incomes and improve living standards.
Zardari said the government was aware of the public’s economic difficulties and was working to address them through policies aimed at creating long-term benefits for future generations.
He said projects linked to Gwadar were expected to bring positive economic change not only to Balochistan but also to the country as a whole.
He said Pakistan had taught India “a lesson it would not forget” during the week-long conflict.
“When India’s planes were shot down, they came to their senses,” Zardari said, adding that Pakistan had shot down “the eight planes that had dropped bombs on innocent Pakistanis”.
Talking about his party’s political direction, the President said that the Pakistan Peoples Party would continue to work within the framework of the 1973 Constitution while taking steps to empower citizens.
