No one to be allowed to hijack Islam: Zardari

 
ISLAMABAD: Terming himself and the heads of other D-8 states answerable to over one billion Muslims, President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed the resolve that the D-8 countries, with their collective wisdom, joint endeavour and united commitment, would never allow Islam to be hijacked by anyone.
Addressing the inaugural session of the D-8 summit at the Presidency on Thursday, he said that the D-8 countries represented eight very important nations. “Individually, they represent countries with whom our relationship goes far beyond the ordinary. For us, the D-8 represents a partnership that can help cement these bonds,” he maintained.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who took over chairmanship of the D-8 Economic Cooperation Organisation for two years, called upon the D-8 countries to establish a trade and development bank so that economic activities within the member states could be boosted. He also expressedthe resolve that the eight democracies would devise a joint strategy to combat the scourge of terrorism. He said, “We, the D-8 countries, jointly condemn the atrocities being committed in Palestine.”

The president said, “The challenges we face today are daunting. The people of Palestine continue to suffer the Israeli aggression. We condemn the recent attacks in Gaza which have led to the loss of innocent lives.” He regretted that the people of Kashmir continued to suffer unjust occupation and for decades they had been waiting for the promised self-determination. “We must address these issues. Rather than blaming others, we need to take charge of our destinies. We must grow our economies, and provide our people with jobs and security,” he added. He said that D-8 had the potential to advance this agenda. “The initiatives we will declare at this summit will make a difference,” he noted.

“The D-8 charter, that we signed today, will cement our joint undertakings. The D-8 global vision will be a giant step forward towards achieving our long-term objectives. And Islamabad Declaration will build upon the roadmap,” he maintained.

“Today let us endorse once again the core values of D-8; values of - peace, dialogue and cooperation, justice, equality and moderation, democracy, rule of law and harmony, and peaceful co-existence and inclusion,” he added. Mr Zardari said that he commended the council of ministers and D-8 commissioners for their hard work in finalising the Islamabad Declaration. “I wish to commend you all for making it possible. Let me say a few words about D-8 agenda. Just like our people, the D-8 agenda is diverse and is growing. But it is also crucial for our collective economic success and a shared future,” he added. The president said that D-8 business forum; meetings of heads of central banks, trade promotion organisations and trade exhibitions were very important initiatives. “These will help in economic growth. But, to carry this forward, we also need trade and development bank. We need to encourage the private sector. We need to facilitate contacts between our chambers of commerce and investment houses. We also need to encourage interactions between our parliaments, scholars, students, judges, artists, media and civil society organisations,” he asserted.

He said that all this required simplified visa and customs procedures. “Most of us have already ratified the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). We need to work together to make it functional. It is also time to think of barter trade where ever possible. If I sum it up: We need to encourage the free flow of goods, free flow of people and free flow of finances,” he said and added that the theme of this summit – ‘Democratic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity’ - was rooted in faith in democracy. “Democracy is at the very heart of our identity. Pakistan was founded through a democratic struggle that was led by eloquence and grace of our founder Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The same democratic means we seek to use today, to resolve our problems. Democracy is in our veins,” he added.

Asif Ali Zardari said when his leader, and wife, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by terrorists in Dec 2007, this country came together to mourn, and to rebuild and that commitment continued to this day. “The D-8 countries represent a huge untapped reservoir. This reservoir can serve as a catalyst for peace and prosperity around the world. The best way to harness our collective potential is to trust our people. Our people want peace within the country and peace with our neighbours,” he maintained.

He said that this government was making unprecedented efforts to normalise relations with India and was supporting Afghanistan’s own roadmap for peace and reconciliation. “This is the vision of a democratic people that seek peace and prosperity. For us, for our region, and for our brothers and sisters in the D-8 countries,” he added. He said that one of the most serious threats being faced by Pakistan was international terrorism. “Terrorists, both from within Pakistan, and from abroad, seek to impose their agenda. We cannot and will not allow Islam to be hijacked. We will fight for our values. We will fight for the spirit of our great religion that our Holy Prophet (SAW) gave to us. We are fighting the terrorists’ dark and destructive vision every day and our soldiers, policemen and political workers serve on the frontlines of this fight,” he asserted. “I want to make a special note of their sacrifices here today and I want to thank you for hearing our voice, and supporting us. Your support strengthens the resolve of our people, especially of the fighters on the frontlines against terrorism. Our soldiers are not alone in this fight. You all have heard of our daughter, the young and heroic Malala Yousufzai. She defied terrorists and she stood for every girl child’s right to education,” he added.

He said, “As we build the Pakistan of our Shaheed leader, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto – a democratic, prosperous, peaceful Pakistan - we are proud to host this historic summit. “From food security to climate change to demographic pressures, we face many challenges. The D-8 platform enables us to find development solutions to our one billion people. The presence of the heads of state and government of all D-8 countries today reflects our collective determination to use this platform for finding solutions,” he maintained. He said that the people of Pakistan stood with their brothers and sisters across the D-8 world in pursuit of democracy, peace and prosperity. “It is only together that we can achieve our common goals and together, we will,” president firmly asserted.

He thanked the outgoing chairman of D-8, President of Nigeria for his leadership of the organisation during the last 2 years. He wished to commend the Secretary General of D-8 and his able team. He also thanked all the heads of the state of D-8 countries and said that every Pakistani respected these nations from their heart.

APP adds: Apart from President Asif Ali Zardari, who chaired the Summit, those who addressed the meeting included Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian Deputy President Mahmoud Makki, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Bangladeshi Adviser to Prime Minister for International Affairs Professor Gowher Rizvi.

President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed setting up of a joint investment fund, barter transactions and operationalisation of the PTA among the D-8 member states.

The Iranian president called for a more serious effort towards creation of a fair and equitable economic system, particularly amongst the member states so as to counter the external influences.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that joint projects among the member states were the only way to make a dynamic move towards prosperity. He said it was time for D-8 countries to pursue the global vision of prosperity and long term sustainable development. Erdogan said economic development ensured security, peace and prosperity and urged the D-8 countries to make efforts towards achieving this goal.

President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that D-8 countries had potential to play a bigger role in providing new impetus for economic growth and keeping the world stable and peaceful.

Vice President of Egypt Mahmoud Makki said the D-8 countries with a total population of around one billion people, an accumulated economy of $2.4 trillion were rich in natural resources and had the potential to achieve high economic growth and sustainable development.

Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the D-8, being an important regional grouping, needed to effectively respond to global and regional challenges through enhanced cooperation and economic resolve.

Outgoing Secretary General of D-8, Widi Agoes Pratikto in his remarks highlighted the efforts made and the steps taken by the organisation during the last two years for the promotion of trade and economic cooperation among the member states through various ways and means.

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