Do not ask Pakistan to do more on terror: Zardari
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, addresses the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly with a photo of Pakistan’s late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto next to him at UN headquarters Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. — Photo by AP
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari declared Tuesday before the United Nations that his country had suffered enough in its fight against extremist terror and should not be asked to do more.
“No country and no people have suffered more in the epic struggle against terrorism than Pakistan,” he insisted.
“To those who say we have not done enough, I say in all humility: Please do not insult the memory of our dead, and the pain of our living. Do not ask of my people what no one has ever asked of any other peoples,” he said.
“Do not demonize the innocent women and children of Pakistan. And please, stop this refrain to ‘do more’.”
Beginning his address to the UN General Assembly with a denunciation of the recent American-made movie trailer and French cartoons that insulted the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), he demanded that such material be banned worldwide.
Then, speaking next to a photograph of his late wife — Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto, who was murdered by militants — he set about defending the Pakistani people’s record in the war on violent extremism.
Zardari said regular US drone strikes against targets in his country made his task of selling the fight against terror to his people harder, as did the massive increase in Afghan drug exports since the US-led invasion.
“There are a lot of questions that are asked of Pakistan these days,” he said, his voice rising as he warmed to his theme.
“I am not here to answer questions about Pakistan. The people of Pakistan have already answered them. The politicians of Pakistan have answered them. The soldiers of Pakistan have answered them,” he declared.
“We have lost over 7,000 Pakistani soldiers and policemen, and over 37,000 civilians,” he added. “And I need not remind my friends here today, that I bear a personal scar.”
Pakistan has long been seen as a safe haven for myriad armed groups, whether Taliban fighting along the Afghan border, domestic extremists or Kashmiri Muslims bent on capturing Indian-held territory.
“I remember the red carpet that was rolled out for all the dictators,” he said. “These dictators and their regimes are responsible for suffocating and throttling Pakistan, Pakistan’s institutions and Pakistani democracy.
“I remember the jailing of Pakistan’s elected leaders. I remember the 12 years I myself spent in prison. And I remember the billions provided by the international community to support those dictatorships,” he said.
“My country’s social fabric, its very character has been altered. Our condition today is a product of dictatorships.”
Zardari’s government has often been accused in the West of not doing enough to fight armed extremism, and since bin Laden was found — in a garrison town near the capital — some in Washington have called for aid to be cut.
Benazir was murdered by militants says the writer. So chapter closed then.
Benazir was murdered my militants? Oh.
Well, you don’t have to do a lot. Just cut off your training and funding for terrorists and put them to good use. Invest the money in giving them a good education. That’s all the world wants from you. Now tell me, is it that difficult, Mr. President?
I like the speech but I don’t like him, because of the horrible things he’s done to Pakistan.
Super Speech. Back it up with actions now, this is the time to get Pakistan out of the isolation with the comity of nations. Bravo Good Job Indeed!
Well done
I’m not asking Pakistan to do more- the fact is, is that more muslims are victim of muslim violence in muslim countries– for every American murdered by a muslim terrorist, 800 muslims die.
Awesome speech Mr. President. You are one of your kind. Politically astute, friend of friends, extremely patient and gracefull. Thumbs UP….
I was looking forward to his speech as I had no doubt it would carry substance. His intentions though always questionable. A real leader would hold out on his own and would not resort to using pictures of popular leaders to gain support.
Credit Credentials can not gained by one or two good written speech. The world community are enough smart to read between black and white ( Grey ). Whatever double standards acted by Musharraf and other military dictators (may be still on) can not be white washed overnight.
Ohhh Khair.. What happened to Zardarii…. ??? Excellent speech….
Very good & honest speech.Thank you Mr Zardari
Thumbs up Mr. President. I like your leadership skills. Yes, one should talk somewhere where it counts a lot rather gathering innocent people in street and let the briefed about country’s strategy and policy who know not.
Speaking at such platform on multiple burning issues in the interests of region and world requires courage where those leaders and countries are under severe criticism at home and abroad. where people are either killed in the name of terrorism, sectarian basis (Shia Suni), by mobile snatching or fire in factories.
Mr. President and world is the witnessed of the consequences of such chosen words in UN general assembly, Saddam was overthrown and executed on holy day, Qaddafi was killed along with children and relatives, Mubarak is nowhere and more than that Mr. Z.A Bhutto was executed because they were the people who talked about something out of the blue.
Lets forget who is leader rather what is he doing and how is he doing. what are the circumstances at home and around the world. Only one solution is don’t look into the negative aspects think of that half glass is full rather half is empty.
In Bangkok when my classmates ask me “Mir! is there civil war (they mean sectarian) in your country? Can foreigners visit your country? sometimes! where is Pakistan located? oh you the one where sucider killed …… people?”
Solution is one!! be one don’t see someone on the account of race, religion and sectarian basis rather who is who not who is what.
Mir Dost Balouch
AIT Thailand
Right Words- Right Place – Great Work for the Nation. Applause
As usual he is trying to pull wool over the innocent and not so educated people of Pakistan “politicians have answered the questions” which politician has answered the difficult questions posing Pakistan. These are all corrupt and dishonest politicians who have nothing in common than their self preservation. Wrong place to take a false righteous role.
I wish we would stop trusting the politicians completely and put our faith more in Allah and then ourselves !
Though zardari past is bleak but his sermon must be praised for his courageous stance which is the need of the time.
Stop asking for aid if you are serious…..
Good speech. But why is he hanging BB’s photo around his neck all the time? That looks cheesy. It’s been used, abused and overused. It’s high time he got over with it. Maybe, it works in Garhi Khuda Buksh to stir emotions – but spare the UN forum. He was there as a president of a country. Should have stood there on his own and come out as a strong person, instead of trying appearing a cry baby.
I agree with you on international players being too practical to be swayed by emotions. But BB’s murder has not been overused or abused in my honest opinion. To me, Pakistani nation did not pay enough homage to BB.
I fully agree. BB needs to be appreciated way more than she presently is.
No denying what Zardari said in the U.N. but what matters in Pakistan is what Kayani thinks.
Mr. Zardari, the world knows well about “scar” you bear. Please stop showing the picture of late. Ms. Benazir Bhutto everywhere. You should be able to convey your point across without using her image. Be optimistic and please stop seeking sympathies!
AGREE 100%
A great and very un-expected from Mr. President … For the first time, I see him acting as the President of Pakistan!
I fear … this could be part of his party’s election campaign
Exactly! I don’t trust him at all
President of Pakistan’s speech in the UN reflects the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. Words were carefully chosen and spoken at the appropriate occassion. Thank you, Mr.President for standing up to one and all in a dignified manner.
MAV
Munir,
I agree with you, he did good, we have suffered a great loss in this war, this was Afghanistan war, they have turned against us. we should make Karzi responsible for cross border terrorism..
It was only a speech. Hoping against hope, the day will come when Speech of pakistani president would be significant for rest world.
Good speech I must say !!! Good work Mr. Zardari. Being a staunch opponent of PPP, I would like to appeciate what right comes out of this goverment. Keep it up President.