ISLAMABAD (August 25 2004): Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Tuesday urged the countrymen to follow the path of tolerance and reconciliation to promote democracy and called for finding political solutions to political problems.

"The principle of live and let live forms the very basis of democracy, follow this principle and leave everything else to Allah Almighty," he said while making a farewell address to the nation on PTV and Radio.

Calling upon the people to follow the principle of "live and let live," the Prime Minister said history told us that use of force was not a solution to any problem and that political problems must be resolved through political means.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain recalled the pledges he made to the nation while assuming the office of the Prime Minister to promote Islamic values and to stamp out the politics of allegations from the country.

In this connection, he added the parliament had adopted a new legislation on defamation.

Similarly, he said the educational institutions, particularly the religious institutions had been asked to project and promote true essence of Islamic values in their curricula.

Chaudhry Shujaat said it was the century of economic challenges and the government was pursuing a comprehensive strategy to rid the country of poverty, inflation and unemployment to counter these challenges.

"The aim is to pass on the benefits of these policies to the common man," he added.

He said after taking over President Pervez Musharraf had presented a 7-point reforms agenda to the nation which was focussed on economic progress and restoring confidence of local and foreign investors.

"The success of the next government will be evaluated on its economic performance," he added.

The prime minister said this very thinking had led Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and its allied parties to select Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz as the next executive head of the country.

"He will 'Inshallah' take the vote of confidence from the National Assembly to become the next Prime Minister," he added.

He said history had always been the best source of guidance for everyone. It told us that moral values were more stronger than political power.

"You will never be politically weakened if you are morally strong," he added.

The prime minister said, "Our fight and struggle is on two fronts - moral and good governance."

On the moral front, he said, everyone had to fight out the ills of hypocrisy, injustice, back-biting, allegations and deceit.

"We should pledge to take everyone together in this fight to promote provincial harmony and tolerance and do away with malice," he said.

In the domain of good governance, the prime minister asked the nation to wage a struggle against lawlessness, poverty, intolerance, illiteracy, disease, inflation and unemployment.

Above all, he added, "Provision of speedy and equitable justice for all was needed to ensure good governance."

He pledged to adhere to, those principles in his political career to promote democratic norms and traditions in the country.

Speaking about country's enhanced stature in the comity of nations particularly after attaining the nuclear prowess, prime minister said Pakistan's geographic and political importance had gained significance and there were hardly any chances of a war with India.

He reiterated Pakistan's resolve and sincerity in finding an amicable solution to the lingering dispute of Kashmir through peaceful means.

"I am confident that the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people would not go in vain and the Kashmir dispute will be resolved in line with their wishes," he added.

The prime minister described the menace of terrorism as the biggest curse facing the world which must be condemned.

"I condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations - whether it is state terrorism or a collective, religious or act of an individual," he added.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said innocent lives had fallen victim to the menace of terrorism.

He said it had caused him a personal loss when his father Chaudhry Zahoor Illahi had become the target of a terrorist organisation on September 25, 1981.

"We talk of peace but it is unattainable unless justice is easily available," he said and added, "Peace is a must for a civilised society but it should be based on justice to be sustainable," he added.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain expressed gratitude to Allah Almighty for being the first elected prime minister in the country's history to leave the office after discharging his obligations with dignity and honour.

He said he had been there to thank the nation and the members of the parliament for reposing full confidence in him. Chaudhry Shujaat said he had always believed that nothing was definite but only Allah Almighty and he was thankful to him for all His blessings.



The prime minister while concluding his address asked the nation to do their best for the country, with sincerity and devotion.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004