World must step up support for Pakistan’s development and stability efforts – Zardari پاکستان کی ترقی اور استحکام کی کوششوں میں علامی برادری پاکستان کے ساتھ تعاون کرے۔ زرداری کا فارین افیر میگزین میں مضمون

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (APP): Pakistan is making concerted endeavors towards stabilizing its economy and containing militancy but the world powers must step up their support the country’s democratic government in addressing the critical challenges, President Asif Ali Zardari says in an article in the Foreign Affairs magazine.

In the article, which highlights Pakistan’s immense economic potential as well as it’s centrality to regional stability, the president reaffirms his resolve to get rid of violent extremism and bring the people long-denied economic uplift. 

“Since taking office, my government has achieved tangible results during our first year in the office. But this is just a start; we have a long way to go,” he says in the article, which, published in January-February issue of the magazine, cites Pakistan’s impressive performance in arresting inflation and improvement in macro-economic indicators. 

Reminding the country’s international allies of the massiveness of the challenges that confronted the country at the time of democratic government’s inception in early 2008,President Zardari said: “The democratic government on assuming power inherited a huge portfolio of challenges ---Pakistan was facing both a political economic and a social crisis and both had to be addressed.” 

The writing entitled “Pakistan Regained - Leadership for Progress” notes that country is paying a heavy price for its border with Afghanistan with terrorist bombings and militant insurgency and loss of thousands of lives.
Up to 2.5 million displaced following action against militants in the northwesternareas drove the direct cost of the conflict to an estimated $ 45 billion. 

President Zardari’s government, the article says, has responded to the challenge with wide-ranging reform and decisive military action that have stabilized the county and brought new legitimacy to the state. 
“We have chosen to fight terror and stand firm in this struggle alongside our allies,” the Pakistani leader states. 

At the same time, Zardari underlines the implications of Pakistan’s vital support against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. 
“We are left to deal with the lingering after-effects of the Cold War which have plunged us into this war against terrorism and led us to pay such a heavy price.” 

The article notes expression of US-led international backing for Pakistan at last year’s Tokyo conference but also contrasts it with $ 38 billion the United States alone has made available to Afghanistan in the last nine years, a country with only a sixth of Pakistan’s population.      

Under the circumstances, Zardari’s government urges a rapid dispensation of pledges made,to cover immediate needs and support Pakistan’s economy. 
“Given the severity of the internal security challenge the country is facing, it is critical that the economy is provided a strong stimulus as quickly as possible so that the maximum number of jobs are created in the shortest time,” Zardari emphasizes. 

“If international aid flows are delayed, the country will be forced to cut

development spending as well as the provision of critical social services. This could be a setback for the global war on terror.” 

Islamabad furthermore prefers a “trade over aid” approach by way of better access to U.S. and EU markets for Pakistani producers, which could bring long-term development opportunities. In the regional perspective, President Zardari underscores Pakistan’s pivotal trade and economic potential and says “improved dialogue between Pakistan and India is the only way forward.” He adds both countries stand to gain economically from a “peaceful” relationship. 

Stressing the key role Pakistan can play in the region’s development the article notes that a stable and strengthened Pakistan could transform the entire region. APP