Democracy is main weapon in Pakistan’s struggle against extremism, leader tells UN
One of the main weapons in Pakistan’s arsenal in its struggle against extremism is democracy, the South Asian nation’s leader told the General Assembly today, calling for increased global support for humanitarian efforts in the wake of recent military operations.
One of the main weapons in Pakistan’s arsenal in its struggle against extremism is democracy, the South Asian nation’s leader told the General Assembly today, calling for increased global support for humanitarian efforts in the wake of recent military operations.
“Democracy has given people ownership to the fight against terrorism,” President Asif Ali Zardari told the annual high-level debate at United Nations Headquarters in New York. “Today our nation stands fully united in this struggle.”
Clashes that started last August between Government forces and militants drove over 2.5 million people from their homes, most of whom sought shelter with relatives and friends.
Half of the displaced have now returned to their homes, and “we are now engaged in rebuilding their lives,” Mr. Zardari said.
His country appreciates the international community’s humanitarian assistance, issuing a call for additional support.
In his address to heads of State and government, the Pakistani President expressed his gratitude for the establishment of the UN team looking into the 2007 assassination of Mr. Zardari’s late wife, Benazir Bhutto, who he said “led the fight for democracy and laid down her life for it.”
The three-member independent Commission of Inquiry started its work on 1 July and has already visited the city of Rawalpindi where the former Pakistani prime minister was killed.
“We are confident that the Commission will bring out all dimensions of her life, work and tragic assassination,” Mr. Zardari said.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met yesterday with a number of world leaders, including United States President Barack Obama, for a meeting of the Group of Friends of Democratic Pakistan set up last year.
“Pakistan faces severe tests on many fronts. In particular, it bears the burden of one of the major challenges of our times, the spread of violent extremism, with regional implications,” he said.
Acknowledging the sacrifices made by civilians and military personnel in the struggle against extremism, Mr. Ban appealed for the international community’s continued support for humanitarian and recovery efforts in areas which have seen conflict.