Zardari vows not to let terrorists succeed

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday while vowing not to let the terrorists succeed called for collective global efforts to counter the growing threat of terrorism. Addressing the international conference on "Global Fight Against Terrorism," President Zardari called for addressing the causes and of fighting the "mindset" by giving the people hope.
The President pointed that law enforcement measures help contain the problem temporarily and said long term solutions must address political, economic and social aspects of the problem. "The way to permanently defeat militancy is to remove the fear and instability on which it thrives," he said.
The President said the way to defeat terrorism was to provide jobs, education and health care for all. "The way to win this war is to give hope to our people in the future," he said and warned that violence begets violence. "All must avoid senseless use of force ... ensure respect for the rule of law and due process."
He said respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states must be the basic principle of fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan supports the idea of a counter narrative to win the battle for hearts and minds. It is only by defeating the terrorists on the ideological front that victory could be achieved.
President Zardari, who is in Tehran on a two-day visit for the conference said Pakistan has suffered US 67 billion dollars in material losses, besides a loss of 35000 people including 5000 law enforcement personnel. "We cannot allow terrorists to prevail," the President said and recalled that his wife - late Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was also a victim of terrorism.
He termed terrorism a mindset that promotes violence and intolerance. "It is the disease of the mind that preaches intolerance and violence. Terrorists violate both human and divine values by inflicting death and destruction on fellow human beings. They have no religion," Zardari added. President Zardari said the government was fighting militancy.
President Zardari described terrorism as "an evil" and said it must not be associated with any race, faith, value system, culture or society. He rejected the "unjustified use" of terms like "Islamic terrorism" and said it hurts the sensibilities of more than a billion Muslims. He said Islam is a religion of peace and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) pardoned his worst enemies at the time of victory in Makkah.
"We are the torch bearers of this noble tradition of peace and harmony," the President said and pointed that Pakistan was pursuing the struggle against terrorism with commitment and clarity. "We have firmly resolved to succeed. Our forces are in the trenches, the very front lines, in the great battle of the 21st Century."
"We are fighting a war that will determine not only the future of my country, but the future of your countries and the entire world," President Zardari said. He said at the terrorists were trying to destroy the rule of law and to turn back the clock of progress in Pakistan.
"They will not succeed. We shall not let them succeed," the President expressed the resolve. The President said the world today has no other option except to fight and defeat it. "Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism. Terrorism, whatever its motivation and objectives, can never be justified." He said in Pakistan's long fight for freedom and democracy, too many have suffered, sacrificed and died.
"We cannot allow the terrorists to prevail. We will not." He said the world has much at stake in Pakistan's success. He said the civilised world will prevail and pointed that the people of Pakistan were courageous and resilient. "We have valiant forces and a vibrant democracy. Our media is free, judiciary is independent. These are our national assets in fight against militancy." "We will do whatever it takes to fight and defeat militancy," the President added.
The President pointed that challenges of terrorism were complex with short cuts. It is a common threat to the entire international community, he said and stressed collective efforts to defeat, besides addressing root causes to counter this challenge. President Zardari said economic viability, social justice and political stability were inter-linked. These cannot be separated. "The way to defeat terrorism is for government to perform, for government to give people a real stake in their country's success."
President appreciated the "timely initiative" of President Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for organising the international conference and said it was time to share ways on how to rid the world of terrorism. The President also thanked him for the citation honouring Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, in which honoured her for leading from the front the fight against militancy - a fight in which she finally embraced martyrdom.
"By honouring Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Mr President, you have indeed honored all those who are fighting against militancy. On behalf of myself, the Bhutto family and on behalf of the people of Pakistan, I thank you for this great honour on Benazir Bhutto." Zardari said Pakistan and Iran share a historic bond.
"Our destinies have been inter-linked ... strengthened by bonds of religion, culture and geography. God willing, these bonds would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead," he said. He recalled that Pakistan's first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto used to say that every generation has a central challenge before it that must be addressed.