Asif Ali Zardari calls on new Pakistan leaders to stop militancy

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zarari said on Tuesday that democracy is taking roots in Pakistan as he addressed a joint session of the two houses of parliament for a record sixth time in his five-year term ending in September.

In a wide-ranging speech, Zardari, bid Sharif’s crew well on the economic front, but also urged them to clamp down on extremists who have killed thousands in Pakistan in the last decade.

“Militancy, extremism and terrorism pose the greatest threat to our national security,” Zardari said.

“There is no place for dictators in today’s Pakistan,” he said, praising the massive turnout of voters in the May 11 general election despite threats by militants and extremists.

“I wish to salute the people for their courage. They have spoken through their vote. Their voice has been heard,” he said, adding that it was an honour for him to be the first elected civilian head of state in the history of Pakistan to oversee the transfer of power in a democratic manner.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Governors and Chief Ministers of the country’s all four provinces, Services Chiefs and diplomats attended the address.

“Democracy has arrived,” Zardari said.

“It is a cause for which Shaheed Benazir Bhutto dedicated her life ... It is a cause for which I spent 11 and a half years in prison ... It is a cause for which Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif suffered imprisonment and exile,” Zardari said.

He called for collective efforts by all democratic forces to further strengthen the democratic order restored in the country with the holding of general election in February 2008.

“Let no one think of subverting the constitution. No court shall validate it,” he said, in an apparent reference to military takeovers in the past.

He, however, did not mention the last military ruler Pervez Musharraf, currently under detention and facing trial in various cases.

Congratulating the newly elected prime minister, he expressed the hope that his government would live up to the expectation of the people.

“I have no doubt that we will rise to the dream that our founding fathers had about Pakistan.

“Let us renew our commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Let us vow to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution,” the president said

Stressing that every pillar of the state “must operate within its constitutional limits” the president said: “Let no organ of the state trespass into the domain of others.”

Zardari’s speech was punctuated by applause, including some from Sharif.

Zardari urged Sharif and his team to safeguard democracy in the nation of 180 million, where the army still retains vast power. He declared that “the subversion, abrogation and the suspension of the constitution is an act of high treason.”