ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain called on Thursday for a constant national vigilance against what he called a threat to use terrorism as a weapon against Pakistan, in remarks aimed at India.

He did not name India for hurling such a threat, but, in his address to a joint sitting of parliament marking the opening of the new parliamentary year, he was obviously referring to Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent remarks that “you have to neutralise terrorist through terrorist only”.

President Hussain’s was the highest level comment on the issue from Pakistan that he made after praising a consensus reached at a recent conference of political parties chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the route of what is known as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Editorial: Parrikar’s remarks

“Despite this historic consensus, it is my advice to the nation, government and political leadership that they remain constantly vigilant,” the president said. “After the threat to use terrorism as a weapon against Pakistan, it has become all the more necessary that is no cause for any confusion.”

Mr Hussain, whose 40-minute speech in Urdu was mainly devoted to the present government’s achievements over its past two years and the ongoing war against terrorism, also spoke about Pakistan’s troubled relations with India, which he said Islamabad wanted to mend through dialogue for a lasting peace in South Asia.

“Friendly relations with India based on mutual confidence and cooperation is our priority,” he said, but added: “We want India to honour its promise to settle the Kashmir problem in accordance with the (relevant) United Nations resolution and aspirations of the Kashmiri people so that a solid foundation is laid for peace in the region.”

The president blamed India for suspending the dialogue process some time ago “without citing any reason” and regretted that “no worthwhile progress could be made” even after possibilities emerged recently to resume the disrupted process of foreign secretary-level talks.

“Pakistan thinks a solution to all problems between the two countries can be found through talks,” he said. “For a lasting peace in South Asia, it is essential to carry the dialogue process forward with sincerity and both countries solve all contentious matters including water through dialogue and pave the way for peace and prosperity in the region.”

His reference to a “new direction” in Pakistan-China friendship in the shape of the economic corridor and recent agreements for $45 billion worth of Chinese investment in Pakistan was greeted with cheers from the house.

The president also briefly talked of a “new era” in Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan, “exemplary” relations with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran and other Islamic countries, the alliance with the United States in the war against terrorism, “multifaceted relations” with European countries, “new worlds of foreign relations” discovered in countries like Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Belarus, and called for giving attention also to Africa, Latin America and the Far East.

DIALOGUE WITH DISAFFECTED: Talking of internal affairs, he counselled the government to initiate a dialogue with disaffected people, who he said had a tendency to make plans important for development and national solidarity controversial for self-interest.

“This trend should come to an end,” he said, and added that “national leadership” should take the initiative to bring these elements into the national mainstream.

About the continuing Zarb-i-Azb Operation against militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, he said it would “continue until the elimination of the last terrorist”.

The president advised the government to increase budget allocations for education and suggested handing over the entire sector of primary education to women.

Some other points made by the president were:

The outgoing parliament proved better than the previous one.

It is satisfying to see some problems that arose some time ago were resolved on the negotiating table.

The government succeeded in achieving more through reduced expenditures.

More attention is needed for the welfare of people displaced by terrorism.

Restoration of peace needs to be carried out with great caution and speed so that while terrorists and anti-social elements are eliminated, no new problems arise.

Families of polio vaccinators killed by militants should not to be left uncared.

No real economic change can come without expanding tax net and tackling corruption.

To boost exports, “my vision” is to give attention to such areas of Central Asia, Far East and Africa where “we” don’t have a foothold.

Power projects in hand and to be fully operative by 2018 will make it possible to control loadshedding.

The government is expected to make progress soon to build small and big dams to develop water reservoirs.

MQM TOKEN WALKOUT: Lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement staged a brief token walkout after National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who chaired the sitting along with Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, disallowed MQM Senator Nasreen Jalil to speak before the presidential address, possibly to protest against the death of an MQM worker in Karachi while in police custody.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2015

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