August 8, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-us-Sani 9, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: Outgoing Ambassador of France Yannick Gerard has said Pakistan’s internal problems will have to be resolved by the people and politicians themselves and no foreign force can play a role in this regard.

He was speaking at a farewell luncheon hosted by Deputy Information Secretary of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) Munir Ahmed Khan here on Thursday.

Mr Gerard said during his over five years stay in the country, he never interfered in the internal matters of Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s development in economic, cultural and political sectors depended on its people and politicians, and no foreign power could substitute this role.

He said in the changing global scenario, there was a need for efforts to bring durable peace in the world. He said the responsibility of making the world more peaceful rested more with Pakistan and France, since both were members of the United Nations Security Council.

He said France had to face great challenges and revolutions before reaching the place where it was at present. He said France strongly believed in democracy, freedom of press and tolerance to others’ views.

Mr Gerard said during his stay in Pakistan, he received extreme hospitality in all the four provinces and found the people very friendly. He termed the friendship between the two countries as valuable.

Earlier, the ARD deputy information secretary, Munir Ahmed Khan, said Mr Gerard had befriended the whole of Pakistan. “Whenever there was a discussion on politics to restore democracy, Mr Gerard never seemed to be an outsider,” he said.

He said the outgoing French ambassador had emerged a prominent figure of social and cultural life of Pakistan and he would be missed badly in Basant celebrations.

Mr Munir said France had always generously contributed to the promotion of democratic norms and equality of human rights all over the world. He said the PPP had an old association with France since the days of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

He appreciated the role of France within the European Union for its persistent efforts for restoration of democracy in Pakistan. He said Mr Gerard would long be remembered for his help and efforts to bring Pakistan closer to democracy.

The reception was attended by leaders of major opposition parties, including the Muttahidda Majlis-i-Amal, and diplomats of the UK, Sweden, South Africa, Germany and Greece.

Prominent among politicians who attended the reception were PPP president Makhdoom Amin Fahim, PPP secretary-general Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Senator Farhatullah Khan Babar, former information minister Khalid Ahmed Kharal, former finance minister Ihsanul Haq Piracha, PML-N’s Syed Zafar Ali Shah, central leader of the MMA Liaquat Baloch and MNA Mian Mohammad Aslam.