“These are the dying kicks of an old order,” the president said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the three-day 6th Conference of the Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
He said the government in Pakistan had taken bold decisions to empower parliament. He said a democratically elected government was nearing the completion of its term and soon Pakistan would achieve a peaceful democratic transition. “We are well on our way to realising democracy’s dividends,” he added.
President Zardari said the South Asia of today had undergone a democratic transformation. He urged the parliamentarians from the Saarc countries to play proactive role in forging better bilateral relations and addressing inter-state issues to ensure peace, progress and prosperity in the region.
The president said the region should adopt a collective approach to face the common challenges and explore opportunities for the benefit of the people. He said the Saarc parliaments should plan and lead efforts for solving complex issues by protecting political liberties, human freedoms and the rule of law to promote regional peace and security.
He said Pakistan was committed to the Saarc Charter and believed that durable peace in the region was in the interest of all.
He urged the regional countries to join hands to fight the menace of extremism and terrorism. “No country had suffered so much from it as Pakistan. We have lost more than 40,000 innocent lives in addition to Rs80 billion in economic terms.”
He said there was a need to address the issue of illegal drug trafficking, which was serving as a financial source for militancy. Emphasising upon greater people-to-people contacts between the regional countries, the president said that dialogue among the Saarc parliamentarians would have a long lasting and positive impact on the situation in the region and help achieve the ideals of peace and stability.
He pointed out that Saarc had a population of 1.6 billion and the Saarc parliaments should come up with a strategy to ensure food security for the region.
Referring to democratic transition in South Asia, the president said democracy was a prerequisite for economic development and political stability. “Strong parliaments play a crucial role in ushering in reforms and ensuring efficiency and transparency of the governing structures,” he added.
He said the Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians is a vital instrument for promoting contacts between the peoples of the region. He said that the changing political and economic landscape had enhanced role of the Saarc parliaments.
The president said that the Saarc parliaments could help sensitise public opinion for the achievement of the common goals.
The president said Pakistan strongly believes in the promise of multilateralism. “States can achieve more together than they can individually,” he added.
Earlier, Speaker National Assembly and Chairperson of 6th Conference of the Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians Dr Fehmida Mirza in her welcome address said that parliaments, which were the voices of the people, were the most important forum to exchange views and discuss regional issues. She said Pakistan had a strong democratic system, and appreciated the decision of President Zardari for surrendering his powers voluntarily to the parliament. She said that Saarc, which represents 20 percent of the population of the world, had great potential to further enhance and promote relations among the member states.
Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said that being representatives of the people, parliamentarians should play their proactive role to meet the expectations of people. She said increased interaction among the Saarc member countries would help learn from each others’ experiences and find solutions of daunting challenges.
Bangladesh Speaker Abdul Wahid, in his remarks, said democracy was a prerequisite for peace and development in the region. “The current session of the association will go a long way in further strengthening democracy in the region,” he said.
Speaker of Bhutan Lyonpo Jigme Tshultim said the three-day deliberations would provide an excellent opportunity to the member countries to share their success stories and knowledge about the parliamentary democracy.
Speaker of Maldives Abdullah Shahid said democracy needs to be strengthened to address problems of the people.
Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka Chandima Weerakkody emphasized the need for empowerment of youth and women to achieve the true dividends of democracy.
Earlier, speakers of the Saarc countries held a meeting with President Zardari and discussed ways and means to further enhance people-to-people contacts among the regional countries. The ceremony was also attended by the members of parliament, federal ministers, diplomats, senior government officials and all members of the delegations of the conference.
In his meeting with Meira Kumar, President Zardari said Pakistan would continue to play a proactive role to make Saarc a vibrant regional organisation.
He said changing political and economic landscape has enhanced the role of the Saarc parliaments which are now well placed to plan and lead efforts for solving complex issues besetting the region.
Discussing Pak-India bilateral relations, he said Pakistan was committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India and reiterated his call for the two countries to make determined efforts for friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations. He expressed satisfaction that the resumed dialogue between the two countries is progressing.
Meira Kumar thanked the president for meeting and conveyed best wishes of the Indian leadership and people for the government and the people of Pakistan. She said her country desired good friendly relations with Pakistan and wanted to work together in coping with the common challenges and issues.
Meanwhile, in an informal chat with the media, the president parried questions regarding the Supreme Court verdict in the Asghar Khan case and the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
On the question about the ECP code of conduct, the president said, “A Speakers Conference is being held today. Nothing else will be discussed.”
On question regarding the Asghar Khan case verdict, he said, “We have seen such debates earlier.” On the occasion he read the couplet “Badalta Hay Rang Aasman Kaise Kaise.”
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