– Former president underscored significance of Pakistan as important regional player in South Asia
Canadian High Commissioner in Islamabad Greg Giokas Saturday called on the former President Asif Ali Zardari in Bilawal House Karachi.
The two discussed matters of mutual interest.
During the meeting Mr. Asif Ali Zardari appreciated the support extended by Canada to Pakistan in various fields and in supporting democracy in Pakistan in overcoming various challenges.
Talking to the high commissioner, the former president underscored the significance of Pakistan as an important regional player in South Asia that could play an effective role for the stability, peace and prosperity of the region.
He also highlighted the sacrifices rendered by the people and defence forces in fighting the terror threat and stressed the need for international community to help alleviate sufferings of the people in the war against militancy.
He said that as President he had always been advocating the need for the international community to set up a victims’ fund for the rehabilitation of the victims of militancy.
He said that the year 2014 was very crucial as security and political transition takes place in Afghanistan and the international forces begin to pull out of that country, which will have profound implications not only for Afghanistan but for all countries in the region.
He said that a peaceful, economically stable and vibrant Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and we would gladly play our due role in this regard.
Zardari said that as a political party the PPP also had suffered hugely in the fight against militancy and recalled how its leader Benazir Bhutto laid down her life fighting militancy.
The former President said that neutralizing the extremists whether through negotiations or use of force was only one part of the battle. The real battle he said was changing the militant mindset through creation and provision of opportunities to the people.
He said that for this Pakistanis needed greater international support to give hope to the people through creation of jobs and economic opportunities
The former president also hosted lunch to honour Canadian High Commissioner Greg Giokas. The high commissioner thanked the former president for the meeting.
Later in the afternoon the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Dr TCA Raghavan also called on Zardari in Bilawal House in Karachi and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Felicitating once again the Indian high commissioner on his appointment Zardari stressed the need for improved bilateral relations for the sake of well being of over a billion people of the two countries and for regional peace and security. There is no alternative to peace through an honorable resolution of disputes between the two countries he said, adding that the absence of alternatives should help make the mind clear.
The former president said that there was an increasing political consensus in Pakistan on seeking normalization of relations with India.
He said that the PPP has long been in favour of trade with India, greater people to people contacts and strengthening SAARC as a trading bloc as instruments for normalization of relations.
The party under the leadership of slain chairwoman Benazir Bhutto proposed soft borders as far back as 1999. He said that the party had introduced the concept of visa free travel in SAARC countries to groups of people including Parliamentarians and Judges and also introduced the South Asian Preferential Tariff Agreement.
He said that the path to peace lay through confidence building, conflict management and creation of a trading bloc of nations to improve the living conditions of all people of South Asia.
High Commissioner Dr TCA Raghavan thanked the former president for the meeting.
Patron-in-chief of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari were also present.
