बिस्मिल्लाह

Pakistan will fight terror to the finish

President Asif Ali Zardari said on Thursday militants have threatened Pakistan’s national integrity and extremists want to impose their political agenda on people through bullet but “we cannot allow this... We will fight them to the finish”. He added Pakistan seeks good relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality. “It has initiated the process of dialogue in the region for peaceful resolution of all disputes,” he said at a function held in connection with the Defence Day of Pakistan at Joint Staff Headquarters. “We believe that peace is essential for development and progress. We believe in peace with honour. We have initiated the process of dialogue in the region.” Zardari said that Pakistan needed peace to focus its energies on improving the lives of people. “We seek good relations with all based on mutual respect and equality,” he added. The president said that dialogue was aimed at peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace in Afghanistan and in the region. “A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in our national interest. We support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in Afghanistan.” He said that September 6 was a memorable day in the national calendar and its significance would never be erased from the memories. The president said national unity displayed on this day in 1965 by people was unforgettable. “Courage displayed by officers and soldiers on this day will always be remembered and the nation will also remember their sacrifices,” he said. “It is a day to pause and ponder. It is a day to look inwardly into our weaknesses. It is a day to rededicate ourselves to the ideal of national unity and harmony. We need to imbibe the spirit of September 6. Today, the need for it is greater than ever before.” Zardari paid homage to all those who had laid down their lives in fighting terrorists in Swat, Malakand and the Tribal Areas. “Our officers, soldiers and people have set new examples of heroism,” he said. He reiterated national commitment to root out terrorism and militancy. He said that Pakistan had come a long way since 1965 and the country’s defence was much stronger today.

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