President Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that the Pakistan peoples Party (PPP) and the government would not be deterred by the extremists and would continue the fight against militant mindset till final victory.Addressing PPP members of Sindh Assembly at Bilawal House here,he paid glowing tributes to Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated in Islamabad ealier in the day. According to President’s Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar,Zardari said that Shahbaz Bhatti had rendered a huge sacrifice that had added another chapter of glory in the history of party which would not go in vain.The meeting which turned into a reference meeting for Shahbaz Bhatti also observed a two-minute silence in memory of the assassinated Minister, he said.
President Asif Zardari said that the party ticket for the election to the seat fallen vacant due to the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti would be given either to his wife or within his family so as to convey a clear message that the party acknowledged his services and was determined to carry forward the mission that the party had entrusted to him and which late Bhatti was pursuing so relentlessly and dedicatedly.
The President said that today’s (Wednesday) meeting was planned to discuss political issues and matters relating to development projects and the MPs’ personal problems. However, the tragic and unfortunate murder of Shahbaz Bhatti had made him change his mind and he had decided to speak about Shahbaz Bhatti and the resolve to fight the militants and extremists to the end.
zardari said that Shahbaz Bhatti was Pakistan’s point man and a voice that announced to the world the PPP’s commitment to uphold the rights of the minorities and marginalised sections.
The President also said that it would be a grave mistake for anyone to think that the PPP government would be destabilized or the party forced into submission by such acts of militancy.
He said that the extremists wanted to create anarchy in the country to enable them to take power by force and vowed to defeat such elements.
“Our national response is and will continue to be calculated, deliberate, measured and consistent against the mindset that promotes and nurtures violence in the country behind the facade of religion,” the President said.
The President also asked the party MPs to spread out in their respective constituencies and meet the people and try to address their problems.
“You may not be able to give job to every jobless youth but you can assuage their hurt feelings by reaching out to them and making yourselves available to them and listen to their grievances and address them as best as you can,” he said.
He said that the Party would keep a record of each MP’s political activities relating to visits to the constituency, the sessions of Assembly attended by him or her, the debates participated in and the open katcheries held. The ministers’ performance will be evaluated on the basis of projects assigned and completed besides the criteria for measuring the performance of the Members of Assembly.
The President asked the MPs to ensure that people in their
constituencies were able to secure computerised national identity cards which will be made mandatory for elections and also assist in the making of Watan Cards for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.
The President also referred to a media campaign launched against Provincial Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan and said that the Party would defend him against the onslaught in a section of the media.
Provincial Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who also attended the meeting, also condemned the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti and paid glowing tributes to him.
The President said that today’s (Wednesday) meeting was planned to discuss political issues and matters relating to development projects and the MPs’ personal problems. However, the tragic and unfortunate murder of Shahbaz Bhatti had made him change his mind and he had decided to speak about Shahbaz Bhatti and the resolve to fight the militants and extremists to the end.
zardari said that Shahbaz Bhatti was Pakistan’s point man and a voice that announced to the world the PPP’s commitment to uphold the rights of the minorities and marginalised sections.
The President also said that it would be a grave mistake for anyone to think that the PPP government would be destabilized or the party forced into submission by such acts of militancy.
He said that the extremists wanted to create anarchy in the country to enable them to take power by force and vowed to defeat such elements.
“Our national response is and will continue to be calculated, deliberate, measured and consistent against the mindset that promotes and nurtures violence in the country behind the facade of religion,” the President said.
The President also asked the party MPs to spread out in their respective constituencies and meet the people and try to address their problems.
“You may not be able to give job to every jobless youth but you can assuage their hurt feelings by reaching out to them and making yourselves available to them and listen to their grievances and address them as best as you can,” he said.
He said that the Party would keep a record of each MP’s political activities relating to visits to the constituency, the sessions of Assembly attended by him or her, the debates participated in and the open katcheries held. The ministers’ performance will be evaluated on the basis of projects assigned and completed besides the criteria for measuring the performance of the Members of Assembly.
The President asked the MPs to ensure that people in their
constituencies were able to secure computerised national identity cards which will be made mandatory for elections and also assist in the making of Watan Cards for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.
The President also referred to a media campaign launched against Provincial Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan and said that the Party would defend him against the onslaught in a section of the media.
Provincial Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who also attended the meeting, also condemned the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti and paid glowing tributes to him.
Source: APP
