President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday vowed to work with neighbours, especially with Afghanistan, for regional peace and stability in the region to face the common problem of terrorism.
"Pakistan intends to work not only with Afghanistan but also for the entire region including other neighbouring countries. We look into the region and shall stand with neighbours," he said while addressing a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai here Tuesday at the President House after taking oath as the 12th President of Pakistan.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai reached Islamabad on Tuesday to attend the oath-taking ceremony of President Asif Ali Zardari. Besides answering the question related to Pak-Afghan relation, President Zardari also spoke on the issues of Kashmir, his agenda being a head of state as well the domestic issues.
Answering a question regarding his policies on Kashmir, Zardari said he was aware of backdoor diplomacy on the Kashmir issue and announced to form a Kashmir committee soon with parliamentary consensus.
He said the Pakistan People’s Party has a clear stand on the Kashmir issue and have taken all the political forces inside and outside the Parliament, including PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, for evolving a joint strategy in this regard. "A Kashmir Committee of the Parliament will soon be constituted to highlight the issue in a better way," he added.
He said besides composite dialogue process with India, back channel activities are going on to resolve the issue and hoped that there will be some good news before the polls in India.
Earlier, Asif Zardari and Hamid Karzai expressed their resolve to work together to combat the menace of terrorism and for peace and stability in the region and also called upon the international community to extend their cooperation and help to free the region and the entire world from the menace of terrorism.
President Zardari vowed to continue strict measures against extremism and terrorism and categorically stated that not an inch of territory would be lost to the miscreants.
Zardari said strict measures were being taken against the extremist elements and no one would be allowed to either trample the writ of the government or control any of its area. "No part of Pakistan, not an inch of land will be lost to any miscreant," Zardari said when asked about the claims by militants of occupying some areas along the Pak-Afghan border.
To a question, Zardari said Pakistan was a victim of this war and anyone who takes up arms will have to face stiff action. "If they lay down their arms, we are willing to talk to them," Zardari said.
President Zardari in his opening statement said Pakistan and Afghanistan are friends for a long time and they will stand with each other and not in the way of each other for the betterment of the peoples of the two countries. "This is message for not just Afghanistan but to all the neighbour countries," he added.
He said they have problems in the past, and will have in the future also, but they have the capabilities to resolve these problems.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his opening statement congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on resuming the office of President of Pakistan and thanked for inviting him to attend the swearing-in ceremony. "The inauguration of democratic process in Pakistan and the new beginning in Afghanistan six years ago for a constitutional order augurs well for both the countries," he added.
He assured that Afghanistan would cooperate with Pakistan in our joint struggle against terrorism and for peace and prosperity in the region. However, when asked when the occupation forces would leave Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai said, "Asking the international community to leave Afghanistan is a luxury that we cannot afford."
Answering a question regarding the indemnity to Ex-President General (R) Pervez Musharraf, President Zardari left this issue to the Parliament, saying that only the Parliament can decide on it.
When asked about the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry, he did not gave any clear answer.
To another question, President Zardari said the government is already working on a comprehensive strategy to eliminate terrorism as he himself is the victim of this menace. He said the government is negotiating with the law-abiding people in tribal areas and has asked the militants to lay down their arms for the sake of peace in the area. "The government will ensure law and order in the country and in Fata particularly," he added.
Regarding taking the issue of assassination of Benazir Bhutto to the United Nation, he said he shall personally took this issue at the United Nation, where he would visit in September to attend the summit of the UN.
President Zardari urged the international community to set up a special fund for the victims of terrorism to rehabilitate the civilians who have been displaced in the war on terror. When asked if American strikes in Afghanistan could be termed as terror acts, President Zardari said the presence of US forces in Afghanistan was in accordance with the UN Charter.
Replying to another question, he said Pakistan is not in favour of saying goodbye to any country including the United States but "we intend to invite investors from all over the world for our prosperity and progress".
To another question, President Zardari said he would pay his first foreign visit as President to China as the two countries have deep-rooted and strong relations with each other. President Zardari said he had asked the Foreign office for his first official visit to China as he was carrying the legacy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who laid the foundation of friendship with China. "This president will take a briefing from the Foreign Office and will discuss with Chinese leadership," he added.
Afghan President Karzai said Pakistan is determined to eliminate the terrorism and the Afghan government will fully cooperate in this regard. He appreciated that President Zardari has a clear vision for rooting out the menace of terrorism.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan are suffering from the same problems and the same evils.
However, regarding indulging into blame game while accusing Pakistan, Karzai said: "It was not blame game but pointing to the facts. As far as feeling of brotherhood is concerned, it goes beyond the complaints. I was one of those person, who lived in Pakistan as refugee."
He said: "Our sister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was killed in a cowardly act. Afghanistan will take each step along with Pakistan against the menace of terrorism." Replying to a question, Hamid Karzai said new options and mechanisms are being evolved to fight terror through tripartite commission and other means.
He regretted the killing of civilians by coalition forces and said Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot tolerate civilian causalities. "I had meaningful talks with President Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on terrorism and these meetings have given me a lot of hope to defeat terrorism and bring good environment for progress and prosperity of the two peoples."
Answering another question, President Zardari said the PPP does not believe in the policy of revenge but to forgive, and he has no intention to take revenge from those who are responsible to send him behind the bars. "I had accepted presidency in the name of Benazir Bhutto and to complete her mission for the service of the nation," he added.
Responding to a question about price hike, Zardari said he had already advised the government to improve the supply and demand situation to overcome the shortage of food items.
He said the government had already increased the support price of wheat, which would be resulted in better yield for the current Rabi crop, and it would precisely benefit both growers and the consumers.
He said the government would timely announce a further increase in wheat price for the next season that would help eliminate cartels and ensure smooth supply of the commodity the whole year.
He said it was decided to tighten the belts and the budget of the Presidency would be reduced. To a question regarding the revoking of 58(2)-b, Zardari said the president is subservient to the Parliament that is fully empowered to curtail his powers. "Whenever, the Parliament demands, the president will bow according to wishes of people of Pakistan.
Regarding, Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, he said Pakistan is energy deficient country and it needs cheap energy resources whether gas or petroleum. Regarding relations with media, he reiterated that the PPP policy towards media has always been friendly and assured the working journalists to resolve their problems for their better future.
To another query, the president said Pakistan was not going to accept the IMF package and would follow the economic policies for the uplift of country. Earlier, Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived here on a day-long visit to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Asif Ali Zardari as country’s next head of state.
He was received at the Chaklala Airbase by Acting President Muhammadmian Soomro, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Interior Minister Rehman Malik. National anthems of the two countries were played and a contingent of the three armed services presented him salute. President Karzai reviewed the parade.
APP adds: On energy shortage in the country, President Zardari said various projects would be carried out to cope with the problems effectively.
He said focus would be laid out not only on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline but also on setting up cheaper and cost-effective power projects.
Reuters adds: Zardari told the news conference the government had protested to the United States, adding: "Casualties of war are taking place. We cannot deny that innocents are dying".