By IRNA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf has said that he is ready to work with the newly elected Parliament to eliminate terrorism, build a stable and effective democratic government and create a solid foundation for sustained economic growth.
In an article in ‘Washington Post’, the President said Pakistan faces and fights the menace of terrorism with full dedication, adding that Al-Qaeda and its affiliates have declared war on the civilized world and the moderate government and people of Pakistan are prime targets.
He said more than 1,000 Pakistani troops have lost their lives fighting al-Qaeda and Taliban forces over the past four years and 112,000 troops are fully engaged in the regions along the border with Afghanistan.
“We will continue to work closely with our longtime American allies in our common struggle to rid Pakistan and the world of militant extremism”, he added.
Musharraf said that their success will require the continued support of the United States. He reminded the US that building democracy is difficult in a complex country like Pakistan with its uneasy political history, centuries-old regional and feudal cleavages.
He said a peaceful transition to democracy requires the leadership of government and the willingness of the population to embrace democratic ideals.
The masses fulfilled their responsibility and now it is time for government leaders to work together.
Musharraf said Pakistan’s transition to democracy is essential to achieving reconciliation among the people.
The government, he said, worked tirelessly to ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful. A broad range of new procedures were put in place, including the public counting of ballots at each polling station, to make certain that this would be the fairest election ever held in Pakistan.
The President said, “Our economy is strong and growing stronger.
Our armed forces are dedicated, professional and committed to maintaining both public order and the integrity of our political system.
Most important, the overwhelming majority of our 160 million people are firmly committed to a moderate view of Islam and to the national prosperity that only modernization can bring”, he maintained.
He said the government’s political strategy emphasizes separating terrorists from those citizens living in the regions bordering Afghanistan. He said the country’s economic strategy is bringing education, economic opportunity and the benefits of development to those same areas.
“When people see improvement in their daily lives, they turn away from violence towards peace and reconciliation”, he claimed.