By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf has appealed to the nation to stand united against terrorism and extremism, which he said were the main hurdles in the way of progress and development of the country.
Speaking at a program aired live by Pakistan Television (PTV) on Monday night, Musharraf said the government was striving to provide the dividends of economic gains to the people at the grassroots level, but a few “misguided” people were trying to hamper these efforts.
“With unity and political stability the few misguided Muslims, who are our own brothers and sisters, but have turned violent because of their militant thoughts and are bent upon committing terrorist acts, will be defeated,” Musharraf said.
He urged the nation to rise against all those who were trying to create a negative impression about Pakistan and said “together we shall fight all such elements.”
“Our nation must be able to thwart internal and external threats and has the ability to do so,” Musharraf said, adding that the government was duty-bound to provide security to its people and was trying to take the country forward.
Musharraf said Pakistan had progressed in all spheres, be it industrial, information technology, agricultural or any other sector and this would bring prosperity and improvement in the lives of people.
Musharraf said the government would continue to strive for bringing about a positive change in the lives of the people by placing all facilities at their doorstep, besides bringing laurels to the country.
“Let us see eye to eye to all, as we are no less than any other nation and we have to stand tall, with pride and confidence,” said Musharraf.
Musharraf concluded that Pakistan had a bright future ahead of it and would make progress and attain prosperity. “We have to analyze how much progress we have made and how further we have to go. We will take Pakistan to the place to which it really belongs,” said Musharraf.