Chairman Senate urges world Community to help Pakistan

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism Chairman, Senate, Farooq Naek has urged the world community to help his country in its hour of need in dealing effectively with the menace of violent extremism and militancy. Speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by a leading British lawmaker Lord Nazir Ahmed at the House of Lords last evening, Naek said terrorism has become a menace not only for Pakistan’s security and stability but also for the entire world.

“Pakistan is committed to eliminating terrorism as we are aware of the fact that this is a menace which is going to eat up peace and security not only of Pakistan but the entire world. We condemn terrorist activities whether committed by an individual, committed by State or whether committed by group.

“Pakistan is giving full co-operation and active support to the international fight against terrorism,” the Chairman Senate said adding that his country is the biggest victim of terrorism.

“We lost our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to an act of terrorism and we are fighting terrorism despite suffering heavy casualties”.

He praised Pakistan Army for doing a great job and said more than 150,000 troops and security forces deployed on Afghan-Pakistan border as well as one thousand check posts opened for the purpose of arresting and eliminating the members of Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

He gave a clear message that Pakistan Government will not let its soil to be used for terrorism and that it will fight them with all the might to the very end.

At the same time, Naek urged the Western countries to allow market access to the Pakistani produce to help boost its exports and remove reliance on foreign aid.

“We need trade not aid. Give us trade We have got the capacity to export, capacity to earn. Over 100 UK companies are functioning in Pakistan right now. If the trade is given to us as well as concessions in tariff, Pakistan has ability to progress and develop”.

He spoke about his meetings with the Speakers of the British lower and upper houses of Parliament and said the UK parliament has always raised voice against deprivation, subjugation and oppression.

Similarly, he said Pakistan was also endeavouring to eliminate these ills from the society and with the restoration of democracy in the south Asian country, the Government has embarked upon bringing about positive changes in the society.

“As envisaged by President Asif Ali Zardari, we aim to create a society in which nationalism and brotherhood will prevail. A society in which Islam will nurture in its true meanings in accordance with its teaching of peace and love. A society in which our future generation would enjoy the freedom, prosperity and justice blended with equality, stability, peace and rule of law.

“We welcome the ideals of reconciliation and of negotiations. Our leader Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto as well as President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani are following the process of reconciliation and the formation of coalition civilian governments at the centre and in provinces is due to the untiring efforts of our leadership for the promotion of democracy in Pakistan and subjugation of militancy.”

The Chairman, Senate, spoke of the support given to the military operations in Swat and Malakand Divisions by all the political parties and said this goes to show that the country is united.

He removed misconception that terrorism is being spread by Islam and Muslims and asked that if terrorism is Islamic then why the Muslims are the victims.

Naek continued that Pakistanis who are Muslims are directly or indirectly affected by the terrorists and this affect is eating them up not only in their own country but the entire world.

In this regard he pointed out to the Pakistani students arrested recently in Britain and said this is one example of the same because they have been suspected of doing the terrorist activities just because of the fact they are Muslims.

The Chairman Senate said the military drive against the militants has resulted in 1.5 million persons being displaced and argued that to say terrorism is Islamic is unjust and inequitable.

He further said possibly 60,000 people will also be affected by operations in South Waziristan and they are all Muslims and are a heavy burden on countryÆs exchequer.

Saying that three billion dollars are needed to rehabilitate them which is not an easy task.

Expressing gratitude to the UK and the world for supporting Pakistan, he called on the Western nation to stop æasking us to do more.

ôIt is time that they should do more and help Pakistan. We need budgetary support. We need pre-fabricated schools, colleges and government offices, generators, bridges, water browsers. In order to put them a lot has to be done We have to establish basic infrastructure and civil administration.ö

Describing Anglo-Pakistan relations as historical , he said the two countries have broad-based and long -based common interest which includes international financial crisis as well as need to combat violent extremism and terrorism.

Naek said the presence of one million Pakistanis has further re-enforced the relationship between the UK and Pakistan.

He expressed hope that the case of the arrested Pakistani students would come to a positive conclusion and they would be allowed to continue their studies in the UK and secure their future.

The Chairman, Senate, noted that ever since terrorism became a menace not only for Pakistan security and stability but also for entire world, the relations between the UK and Pakistan have assumed a very special significance.

He also expressed hope that Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan would play a pivotal role in solving the issues which faces Britishers of Pakistani origin.

Speaking about the success of Pakistan cricket in the recent World Twenty20 Cup in England, he said the victory was not just historic but instantly have hope to million of Pakistanis because they received good news after a long time. He lauded the moral support given to the Pakistani team by the British Pakistani Diaspora.

He also explained the circumstances leading to the drive against the militants in Swat and Malakand Division after the collapse of the peace deal following the establishment of Nizam-e-Adl and the attempt of Maulana Sufi Muhammad to spread his influence beyond Swat.

Earlier, Lord Nazir Ahmed in his welcome remarks said Pakistan is facing huge challenges but the British Pakistani community have also been in the forefront of helping the country of its origin.

ôWe have always supported Pakistan through difficult and bad times.

Our commitment is the people of Pakistan and that will remain so.ö

Pakistan High Commissioner, British Minister Sadiq Khan and Baroness Saiyida Warsi of the Opposition Conservative Party also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the need to work together to eliminate extremism and militancy and working together for global peace.

Chairman, Senate, was accompanied at the event by Senator Bangash of Awami National Party. Members of Pakistani community and House of Lords were also present.