ANKARA: President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan has a clear strategy on how to tackle terrorism adding that dialogue is the only way to normalize relations with India.
Calling terrorism “a curse” with “no faith or creed,” President Zardari in an exclusive interview with Today’s Zaman, underscored that terrorism is a global problem and, as such, it requires a global response. “It is a toxic brew that thrives on a perceived sense of injustice, economic deprivation and marginalization.
. Today, many countries around the world are facing this menace,” he explained. The Pakistani president dismissed claims that his country has no clear strategy to deal with terrorism.
Noting that there is a national consensus on how to counter terrorism and extremism in Pakistan, Zardari explained what he called the “3 Ds” strategy -- Dialogue, Development, and Deterrence -- to fight terrorism. “We have offered dialogue and amnesty to all those who renounce violence. We have undertaken development projects and are building more schools, hospitals and roads in the relatively underdeveloped and affected areas. At the same time, our armed forces and law enforcement agencies, backed by popular support and democratic legitimacy, are fighting hardcore terrorists and extremists,” he said. As for their troubled relations with India, Zardari said he believes dialogue is the only way to normalize ties with the neighboring country, stressing that Pakistan is committed to “serious, sustained and constructive engagement with India.” “The two countries have decided to resume dialogue on all outstanding issues,” he said, adding: “It is important for the two sides to build an atmosphere of mutual trust to resolve all our disputes, including the core Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir. This would usher in a new era for the people of South Asia and bring much needed peace and stability to our region.”
“The maturity of Turkish democracy and its economic achievements are greatly admired in Pakistan,” said President Zardari, adding, “Turkey has emerged as a major power in the region. Being part of Asia and Europe, it serves as a bridge between East and West.”
Zardari also praised Turkey’s initiative in recent years and acknowledged the role Turkey played in international and regional forums. “We appreciate Turkey’s positive role and initiatives for resolving regional issues. Turkey’s stance in forums like the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), G-20, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is indeed worth appreciation,” he stated.
Stressing that his country was left to deal with problems emanating from the Cold War era, the Pakistani president said they have paid a hefty price in the form of drug trafficking and weapons culture. He made it clear during the interview that Pakistan’s cooperation and gathering of intelligence foiled several global terrorism plots. “The forces of extremism and terrorism pose a threat to our own security. We remain determined and resolute to defeat them,” he emphasized.
