State institutions should act as per law: Mamnoon

 

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said that the state institutions must work within the parameters laid down in law and the Constitution as political likes and dislikes should be made a yardstick in the discharge of respective responsibilities.
He said that the spirit of democracy is reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance and mutual cooperation and not confrontation, conflict and revenge.“With our experience and observations, we have realised that democracy is not the name of confrontation, conflict, opposition for the sake of opposition or revenge but the spirit of democracy is reconciliation, forgiveness, tolerance and mutual cooperation,” said President Mamnoon Hussain in his maiden address to the joint sitting of the two houses of parliament at the start of the new parliamentary year.

The three services chiefs, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chief ministers of Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh and foreign envoys also heard the speech of the president from the visitors galleries.

He maintained that it was the peak of democracy to respect the opinion of majority, to give precedence to national institutions over individuals, and national interests should be given priority over the interests of the respective parties.

The president pointed out that the government did not believe in any restrictions on the media, however, it also expected of the media to formulate a code of conduct for itself and implement it in letter and spirit. This would enhance national honour and people would consider the media as true representative of their hopes and aspirations.He said that the media in Pakistan was also playing a role as a watchdog and in monitoring and no doubt it was free and its example was an example for many countries.

President Mamnoon Hussain observed that cooperation and understanding among the state institutions was critically needed at this juncture of time. “At a time when our enemies are actively working to create conflict and discord among us, we need to maintain unity and confidence among our lives,” he said.

Mamnoon especially accosted the state institutions saying that they should perform their duties according to the country’s laws and they should not make political likes and dislikes as their standard. “In the eyes of law and the Constitution, people of all areas are equal as their language, race, political inclination and family connections have secondary importance,” he said.

He said, “Every citizen of sacred homeland is Pakistani first and any secondary identity comes later. The lesson of equality taught by Islam is universal and the eternal message should be practically visible in Pakistan,” he said.

The president said in Pakistan, supremacy of Constitution and progress of democracy had become inter-dependent and solution to all the problems had to be sought while remaining within the established constitutional framework and that it was the Constitution which allocated the role for all the parliamentary and political forces. “This is the constitutional framework through which Federation and all federal constituents have to collectively find solution to their problems and have to work together for the people’s progress and prosperity,” he said.

He said it was a matter of satisfaction that all the state institutions were performing their duties with consummate harmony and devotion.

He said the armed forces were defending and protecting borders of the country very proficiently and other defence institutions were working diligently day and night while the whole nation was proud of them.

He said the armed forces were not only protecting the frontiers but they now were also performing important functions to ensure internal security. “They rendered matchless sacrifices for securing our future and we honour their sacrifices,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the sacrifices given by the people especially of Fata who had always been in the forefront for the defence of the country.

The president said the supremacy of the Constitution had become inter-dependent and solution to all the problems had to be sought while remaining within the established constitutional framework.

He said democratic transition and sustainability was not only a national requirement, but also important for national security, dignity and political identity. He stressed further promotion of reconciliatory approach to move the country forward.

The president lauded the vibrant role of civil society and called upon it to give consideration to the law of the country, national tradition, temperament of society and feelings of the masses while performing their role.

He said it was a matter of satisfaction that minorities were enjoying equal rights in Pakistan and they were not facing any discriminatory attitude, observing the role of minorities in the development and construction of the country was really laudable.

Mamnoon Hussain lauded the efforts of the government in strengthening the national economy and its efforts to overcome the energy crisis. He hoped that the government would be successful in overcoming these challenges soon.

The president said the government also took a bold initiative and launched a dialogue with the Taliban to bring peace and hoped this process would lead the country to the logical end.

Referring to Pakistan’s relations with other countries, the president said that they wanted brotherly and friendly relations with all the neighbours on the principle of sovereignty and equality. He said the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi was also a step forward to normalise relations with the neighbour to bring peace and stability in the region.

The president said Pakistan wanted a negotiated settlement of Kashmir dispute according to the UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

He said Pakistan gave priority to its relations with China and realised that friendship between two countries was not merely a traditional diplomatic bond but in present times it had become a live metaphor of exemplary and eternal relationship. In reality, the whole global community realised that Pakistan and China were like two bodies and one soul in the real sense.

He said Pakistan was grateful to the European Union for providing it access to their markets.

President Mamnoon Hussain said realistic and pragmatic policies of the government for the development and prosperity of the country had enhanced the country’s esteem and respect in the international community. “Owing to these policies, statesmen from various countries besides representatives of international organisations and investors from all over the world are expressing their desire to work with Pakistan and invest here in various sectors,” he mentioned.

President Mamnoon said today observers and analysts from all over the civilised world were looking to Pakistan because, for the first time in 66 years of history, one democratic government completed its constitutional term and now another democratic government had completed its one year successfully.

He highlighted various schemes and projects launched by the government to generate employment for the youth. He appreciated the government for launching various schemes to help the youth and educate them which would help improve their skills and ultimately would benefit the country.

He said during the last one year, the government’s achievements were extremely impressive which included an increase in gross national production, continuous decrease in budget deficit, successful launch of Euro Bond, European Union grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan, increase in remittances and increase in export of textile products.

The president said to continue the economic growth and development, ending of loadshedding was inevitable and lauded the steps taken by the government to solve this issue.

Journey to democracy has started: Mamnoon

 

LAHORE: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said that the journey, with strong footings, towards real democracy had started and Pakistan would become an important country in the region within five years.
He said this while speaking at the concluding session of the South Asia Labour Conference (SALC) held here at a local hotel on Saturday.

He appealed for greater cooperation in the South Asian region through the Saarc platform and called for an end to the travel restrictions placed on Pakistan by countries dismayed by the polio issue.

In his speech, President Mamnoon Hussain said the country was currently facing challenges, including terrorism and lawlessness, but it had great potential in leading the Saarc region in the race for economic development.

Addressing Saarc ministers and dignitaries, President Mamnoon Hussain said he was honoured to be a part of the regional collaboration for labour rights. He said it was a day of great hope in the region as it was a beginning in the journey towards mutual cooperation for improving the lives of the poor.

The president said he was impressed by the passion and commitment to labour issues of all the delegates taking part in the conference’s technical sessions and hoped the discussions would be further supplemented by action. He said the South Asian region was united by common values and faced similar challenges, including threats to democracy, dictatorship, governance and justice issues.

Talking to the 300 delegates present on Saturday, he said for decades Pakistan had provided shelter to people fleeing regional conflicts. He said Pakistan had endured natural calamities, extremism and poverty with encouraging resilience. “I am happy to see the joint ministerial statement of South Asia Labour Conference reaffirm the fundamental right to decent living and human values,” said President Mamnoon Hussain on the final day of the conference.

He said further sharing of best labour practices in the Saarc region would develop human resources and lead to South Asian countries being able to compete with the rest of the world and alleviate regional poverty. President Hussain congratulated the organisers of the South Asia Labour Conference on hosting the first regional labour conference here in Lahore and the Punjab government for the Punjab Labour Policy 2014 to be officially unveiled by CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on May 1 in a special Punjab Assembly session.

The President of Pakistan placed great emphasis on compliance with international labour laws and standards set by ILO conventions. He said that he was happy to note the enthusiasm of employers present and that the business community of Pakistan could help lift millions of Pakistanis out of poverty.

He thanked the head of cabinet for the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Nicolas Gibert-Morin for the awarding of GSP Plus status to Pakistan and said Pakistan’s textile sector had benefited from the reduced tariffs. He said some elements were wishing to deprive Pakistan of this status, using poor compliance with labour laws as a pretext for their hidden motives.

On the topic of polio vaccination, President Hussain said the travel restrictions placed on Pakistan due to the low polio vaccinations rate by some countries was regrettable as militants in Pakistan’s north had made it difficult for others to administer polio drops.

The president, addressing foreign delegates at the conference, said the country would undergo a positive change within a period of five years.

President Hussain said an economic corridor connecting Tashkent, Kashgar, Karachi to Gwadar, Balochistan would deliver successful results not only to Pakistan and China but to the entire Central Asian region, Russia and the Middle East.

According to the president, Pakistan’s workforce would also benefit from new opportunities. Pakistan’s youth, which comprises 50 percent of the workforce, is a blessing, said President Mamnoon Hussain.

He said the success of the conference was evident by the presence of relevant stakeholders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh and Balochistan in addition to Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chaudhry Abdul Majeed during the three days of South Asia Labour Conference.

The president also expressed his hope for a similar conference hosted in another Saarc country in 2015 and a regional community of labourers in South Asia.

The president later presented souvenirs to select Pakistani and foreign delegates in appreciation of their role in the conference.

Govt to transform country’s educational system: Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: Reiterating commitment of the present government to promoting quality education at all levels, President Mamnoon said Monday that the education sector was not only a government’s priority but was being treated as a national emergency with focus on developing an educational system compatible with the requirements of a knowledge-based economy.

“The country needs skilled, highly educated and motivated youths to compete in the present global environment and keep Pakistan progressing on the path of development”, President Mamnoon noted.

During a meeting with a group of vice chancellors and rectors of the leading universities of the country, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said that well-educated and trained youth could convert all prevalent challenges into opportunities. The heads of universities who called on the president include Vice Admiral (R) Shahid Iqbal, Rector of Bahria University, Islamabad; Imran Rahman, Vice Chancellor, Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad; Dr Muhammad Aslam, Rector Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad; Prof Javed Akram, Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad and Prof Dr Ali Asghar Chishti, Acting Vice Chancellor, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.

Engineer Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, Chairperson of Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director were also present during the meeting.On the occasion, the president stressed the need for the universities and educational institutions to maintain the spirit of excellence and generate new avenues of sustainable growth with focus on developing a knowledge-based economy. He said that in today’s era of technological development where technological innovations and new scientific knowledge were becoming prime divers of economic progress, the role of universities had become even more critical.

The president urged upon the heads of the institutions to rise to the globally changing environment, make pace with the global scientific and technological development and play its critical role in the human, social and economic development of Pakistan.

Mamnoon visits three provincial capitals

 

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has returned after making whirlwind visits to three provincial capitals, Quetta, Karachi and Lahore. The president was fully satisfied with his interaction with his respective interlocutors.
He undertook his maiden visit to Quetta where he was received by provincial Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, and Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.The president later held meetings with leaders of various parliamentary groups of the provincial assembly and discussed their grievances.

Governor of Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister of the province Shahbaz Sharif had a meeting with the president at breakfast on Sunday.They had useful discussions with President Mamnoon regarding important national issues. Well-placed sources told The News that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah failed in according due protocol to the president of the country as he spent two days in Karachi where he had an interactive meeting with top businessmen.

The provincial government didn’t organise any meeting of the president with the provincial governor and surprisingly, the chief minister or any provincial minister also didn’t turn up to call on the president during his stay in that city.The sources in the Presidency confirmed that no meeting between the president and the chief minister of Sindh took place in Karachi but they declined to offer any comment about it.

It is for the first time that the Sindh government has shown such an attitude toward the head of the state who has no complaint about it since he is satisfied about his meetings with important people in Karachi who play a prominent role in improving the economy of the country. The president stayed away from the capital for about a week for the first time since assuming office.

Pakistan at the crossroads: Mamnoon

LAHORE: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistan is at a crossroads and now needs to make important decisions. He was addressing the second LCCI-OIC Ambassadors and Trade Conference here on Saturday. He said the situation in Pakistan could not deteriorate further and assured that it would certainly move in the right direction, given the booming economic relations with China, which would have a positive impact on the whole region.

President Mamnoon downplays army-govt tiff

 

KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday downplayed the apparent tiff between the army and the government, saying that prime minister will handle the situation once he returns from China after attending the 2014 Boao Forum for Asia.
“I know Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s mind. He will manage the situation. He will not allow any of the differences to magnify,” President Mamnoon told The News in an interview at the State Guest House — his abode in Karachi.

“The situation is certainly not grave as being painted by the media. An unnecessary hype has been created... the media should play a responsible role,” said the president while urging national unity and cohesion.

Hussain, the supreme commander of the Pakistani armed forces by virtue of his office, claimed that the army chief Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif remain on the same page on all the important national issues. “I have exchanged views with the top army leaders, including the army chief, in recent days. The army continues to play a positive role and backs democracy,” he said.

Earlier this week, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, in a first of its kind statement, warned detractors against undermining the institution of the armed forces. “The Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all institutions and will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride,” the army chief had said on Monday while visiting commandoes at their base near Tarbela. General Sharif’s remarks created an uproar and triggered speculations that ties between the civil and military leadership remain strained over the handling of former army chief Pervez Musharraf’s trial on treason charges and the government’s initiative of holding talks with the local Taliban responsible for the killing of thousands of civilians and security personnel.

However, President Mamnoon believed that an unnecessary controversy had been generated out of the army chief’s remarks. “I agree that some statements were not needed and could have been avoided,” said Mamnoon in an apparent reference to the derogatory remarks made against Musharraf by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

The prime minister had categorically told his party leaders not to issue any statements against Pervez Musharraf as his case is in the court and remains sub judice, said Mamnoon praising what he called the prime minister’s political maturity and vision for the country.

“The prime minister does not believe in any personal vendetta… he is a mature politician and wants to focus only on putting the country’s battered economy back on the track and improving the law and order.”

Mamoon’s reconciliatory remarks are an indication that the civilian government is moving fast to control any possible damage in the civil-military ties. Mamoon, the soft-spoken and easygoing businessman from Karachi, is known for his closeness with Sharif. He stood by Sharif when many of the party stalwarts deserted their leader during the former military-led government.

“The army knows that Pakistani economy is facing a crisis-like situation and fully backs the government’s efforts for its revival… the army also supports the holding of talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,” Mamoon said.

He, however, admitted that the public opinion remains divided over the government’s talks initiative. “There are people who have suffered at the hands of the Taliban… they have seen their near and dear ones killed by terrorists. Therefore, they oppose talks… but still a majority favours this process.”

He said that the talks may result in brokering peace with some of the militant groups. This means that even if the government decides to launch an operation, then it would have to face a fewer number of militants, the president added.

Mamoon said that the country’s economic revival remains impossible without peace in the country, especially in the financial capital of Karachi.“The operation (against criminals and terrorists) in Karachi is going in the right direction, but we need more efforts by the Sindh government for its complete success,” he said.

“If there is peace in Karachi, the Sindh province will benefit the most… the provincial government should realise this,” he said.While giving details of the government’s efforts to boost growth and investment, Mamoon said that that China had promised $32 billion worth project financing and investments spanning over the next five years. “At least 22,000 megawatts of electricity will be generated through a mix of coal, nuclear and wind energy projects with the Chinese help.”

An economic corridor of roughly 4,000 kilometers will also be built connecting the Chinese city of Kashgar with Gawdar and Karachi, he said promising “extra security” to the Chinese investors.

We want to see Muslims united, says Mamnoon

ONBOARD PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT: President Mamnoon has emphasised upon Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that Pakistan wants to see all Muslims of the world united.He said if Iran presented proof of the presence of its security guards inside Pakistan, those responsible would be duly punished.

The president was talking to newsmen onboard a plane returning from one-day Kabul visit where he attended the Nauroz festival and participated in a session with the heads of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan in addition to separate meetings with them.

President Karzai, appreciating the peace talks with the Taliban, said he was anxious to negotiate with the Taliban on his side. President Mamnoon termed the visit fruitful. Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid was also with him.

The president said the respective state heads accepted his invitation to tour Pakistan. He said in a session of the four presidents, President Rouhani raised the issue of abduction of Iranian guards and the alleged killing of one of them at which President Mamnoon clearly said that Pakistan had nothing to do with the tragic incident.

He noted that Pakistan did not allow terrorism in any form. Mamnoon said the Iranian president was convinced by his explanation.He said Pakistan assured the Afghan president of its resolve against terrorism through peaceful means. He said he had conveyed to the Afghan and Iranian presidents that Pakistan did not want to create problems for its neighbours. “A third force is active to create differences among us,” he stated.

He noted that the Afghan president hinted at the presence of negative elements in Afghanistan and Pakistan endeavouring to disturb the Pak-Afghan relations and said such elements required elimination.

Moreover, in a talk with Pakistani newsmen at his presidential office, President Karzai denounced terrorism and remarked that his meeting with President Mamnoon was pleasant and full of hope for better mutual relations.

APP adds from Kabul: President Mamnoon arrived in the Afghan capital on Thursday to attend the Nauroz festival on the invitation of President Hamid Karzai.He was received by senior officials of Afghan government at the Kabul Airport. Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Syed Abrar Hussain was also present. This is the first visit of the president to Afghanistan since assuming office. In his speech at the quadrilateral summit, President Mamnoon Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for stable Afghanistan.

The summit was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Tajik President Emomali Rahmanov.“Our four countries offer a unique confluence of Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia with immense — yet still untapped —economic, commercial and energy potential. Together, we can play an important bridging role,” the president observed.

Our countries are already working together on different energy, connectivity and infrastructure projects including CASA-1000, TAPI, Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, and road and rail links, he added.

“Pakistan has enhanced its bilateral assistance for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Afghanistan to $500 million. Our focus is on projects in infrastructure, roads and rails links, health, education and capacity-building,” he stated.

He said Pakistan had offered 3,000 scholarships for the Afghan students.

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate Nauroz festival, the president expressed strong solidarity with the Afghan people.The ceremony was also attended by President Karzai and heads of state of regional countries.

He also conveyed greetings to 300 million people around the world, from his own and on behalf of the people of Pakistan.He said the UN General Assembly had already declared 21st March as the “International Day of Nauroz.” Unesco has included Nauroz in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

He viewed that through concrete measures, we could translate this vast potential into a living reality and utilise it for advancing our socio-economic development goals.He also reiterated his appreciation to President Karzai for hosting this remarkable event.

PM committed to restore peace in Karachi: Mamnoon

KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain here on Monday said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is committed to restore peace and security in the city and the government is making its best efforts on this account.
However, he said , certain political expediencies at local level are creating hindrances to proceed with the on-going targeted operation in the city to its logical end.
The President was talking to representatives of print and electronic media during an interactive session with them at the State Guest House.
Mamnoon Hussain said that he had a detailed discussion on Karachi situation with Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and he intended to have a similar meeting with the Chief Minister today.
He said that ensuring peace and security in the country and strengthening economy is the top priority of the government. Improving law and order situation in Karachi is essential for the revival and growth of the country's economy, he maintained. He said that Karachi has become a sanctuary for terrorists and other criminals because it has around 20 million population and more than 500 kutchi abadies. Had the law enforcing agencies taken it serious and reacted strongly , these abadies would not have emerged, he said.
Mamnoon Hussain said that the social and economic issues and challenges facing Pakistan these days and low scale of development are mainly because of repeated de-railing of democracy or creating hurdles in the democratic process over the last 66 years. In India, the democratic process smoothly moved on and as the result national institutions strengthened and flourished there. This contributed a lot to the development process of the country. The President described his visit to China as very successful.
He declared the economic corridor as a unique project of the present century which is being executed with the cooperation of China. Not only Pakistan and China but central Asia and entire Europe will benefit from the mega project. Later, the corridor will be expanded to Karachi from Gwadar.
He said two nuclear power plants being set up in Karachi in cooperation with China will generate 2200 MW electricity daily. Three more such plants will be set up in other areas of the city.
He said that China will also soon start the work on Lahore - Karachi Motorway.
China will purchase JF-17 thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan for its air force. This will increase the demand for our aircraft in international market. China will sell to Pakistan JF-17 fighter helicopters and these will prove an effective tool in war against terrorism. China will also supply a submarine to Pakistan, he said.
He informed the media that China wanted to make investment in many projects in Pakistan. The investment by China will also create employment opportunities here.
He said Chinese authorities showed their concern over the security of the Chinese working in Pakistan and he assured them of a better security cover to the Chinese friends. Mamnoon Hussain said that he had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and suggested for a forming a special force to provide foolproof security to Chinese. To a question, he said Pakistan wanted its best relations with all other countries including United States and the neighbouring countries.
Mamnoon said that he is the Chancellor of 17 universities of the country and he would be working for the promotion of quality education and for better health facilities in nook and corner of the country.
He said that he was personally taking interest and supporting polio campaign in the country so that we can succeed in overcoming this menace at the earliest.