Zardari vows to make democracy work in Pakistan

Dubai: Newly elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on Saturday he would prove wrong the perception that "democracy and Pakistan cannot go together".

"I want to tell all those doubting our nation's commitment for a representative political order, that ours is the nation that has made the biggest sacrifices for the cause of democracy, ours is the nation that has looked dictatorship in its eyes," said Zardari in a statement issued to Gulf News after he won the presidential election with thumping majority.

Zardari's election came as a suicide car bomb in the turbulent north-western region left more than 16 people dead, 10 of them police officers.

Zardari, 53, co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), became the 14th president of Pakistan by securing a record 479 out of total 702 votes in the Senate, National Assembly and the four Provincial Assemblies which form the Electoral College. He defeated Justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui fielded by Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) who got just 153 votes, and Mushahid Hussain Syed from Shujjat Hussain's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q), who got just 43 votes.

"It is a historic win and it is victory of democracy," said Sherry Rehman, a diehard PPP leader and Federal Information Minister.

The United States congratulated Zardari on his win.

Peshawar blast

However, Taliban militants in Pakistan sent a clear message to Zardari, dampening the celebrations, with the bomb blast at a police check post in Peshawar.

Nearly 1,200 people have been killed in bombings and suicide attacks across Pakistan in the past year, in unrest seen as a backlash by militants angry over Pakistan's support to the US in its war against terror.

Community reactions from UAE

Dubai: Pakistani community members in the UAE have said that Asif Ali Zardari, the newly elected president of their country, should now focus more on resolving problem of the people because they have suffered the most.

They said Zardari with all its powers should work for the development of the country and should provide some relief to people suffering because of unemployment, price hike, power shortage, inflation and the deteriorating law and order situation.

Gulf News spoke to some prominent Pakistani residents in the UAE to know what they feel about the new president.

Irfan Akram, a leading businessman in Sharjah: Now that Asif Ali Zardari is our new president, people should forget his past and allegation of corruption, which were never proved.

I believe that Zardari will be the most powerful president Pakistan ever had because he has his government in power, has majority in the parliament and also hold absolute powers.

He can do whatever he wants to do to save our country, which is passing through the worst economic crisis. Also, the security problems due to militancy and terrorists activities in the country, is a grave matter of concern, which needs immediate attention from Zardari. Businessman from the UAE would like to invest in Pakistan only if the security situation improves as they fear for their lives and investment.

Syed Sajjad Shah, General Secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the UAE: Asif Ali Zardari's win with thumping majority speaks volumes of his popularity in the country. He has proved that he is a unifying force and symbol of federation because parliamentarians from all the four provinces, Senate and the National Assembly voted for him. Even those who are not party of the ruling coalition voted for him.

It's time that he should not focus on the issues of public interests especially to alleviate poverty and unemployment. He should also give priority to improve security situation and strengthen the democratic institutions in the country.

Abdul Nabi Bangash, President of Awami National Party (ANP) in the UAE: Our party is major ally in the ruling coalition and we are very pleased that Asif Ali Zardari has won the presidential election. We believe that even the worst form of democracy is better than dictatorship. However, currently, we have excellent democratic set up and hope to cultivate it further.

I believe Zardari is facing a lot of challenges such as price hike, unemployment, energy crisis and above all deteriorating security situation in the country.

Now is his chance for him to do something for the people and heal their wounds. He can make a difference if he concentrates more on solving people's issues instead of indulging himself in political affairs.

Noorul Hassan Tanveer, chief coordinator of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) in the UAE: Now that Asif Ali Zardari has managed to get the top position in the country, he should fulfill all his promises especially relating to the reinstatement of judges deposed by the former president Pervez Musharraf. As promised, he should also abolish the 17th amendment which gives a president absolute powers including the power to dissolve elected government.

Now Zardari should also quit his position as co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) because a president, being a symbol of federation, should be above any political affiliation.

He should not review the policies of the government to tackle the militants in the country. Instead of blindly towing the US policies, the new government should come up with its own strategy to tackle militancy and terrorism.

Zahoor Hussain Shujra, president of the PPP in the UAE: I congratulate all the supporters of the PPP on the election of Asif Ali Zardari as the new president of Pakistan. Zardari has the ability to bring the country out of the current political and economic crises. I am sure he would concentrate on the issue of power shortage because our country cannot make progress without enough electricity supply. He should also continue his efforts to have political consensus on important issues.

The opposition parties including Nawaz Sharif's PML-N should rejoin hands with Zardari because it is time that all the political parties should stand united to strengthen democracy and bring the country out acute economic crisis.