President Asif Ali Zardari in a group photo with speakers of SAARC countries during the inauguration of the 6th Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians. -APP Photo

ISLAMABAD: During his inaugural address to the 6th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference, President Asif Ali Zardari said terrorism can only be defeated if hearts and minds of the people are won over.

He emphasised on enhanced people-to-people contacts among the SAARC member states and said that the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians was a vital instrument for promoting contacts among the peoples of the region.

During his speech, President Zardari also said that for many decades the nations within SAARC have been victims of terrorism.

He said that the war against terrorism has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Pakistani's, while the nation has suffered economic loss of $80 billion.

The president also said that to defeat terrorism, drugs smuggling will have to be tackled with.

President Zardari said that the need for regional cooperation had never been as great as it was today, in order to meet the emerging challenges of the growing population in the region.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.