Government would spare no effort to alleviate poverty: President Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Government would spare no effort to alleviate poverty and improve socio-economic conditions in Balochistan. He said that the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan set up by the Government has finalized its report and recommendations which would be announced by the Prime Minister after consultation with other political leaders and stakeholders. This he said during a meeting with a delegation from Balochistan led by Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani in Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

The President said that the people of Balochistan have been neglected in past thus creating a sense of deprivation among the people of the area. The Government of Pakistan Peoples Party is focusing on political harmony, economic development and improving law and order situation of this province as its main priority. We are committed to alleviate the sense of deprivation of the people of Balochistan and bring the province at par with other parts of the country. The President said that in his address to the Parliament, he had called for giving a thought to amnesty to political exiles for promoting political harmony. The PPP, he said, had also publicly apologized to the people of Balochistan for the excesses done to them in the past regardless of which government was in power.

Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani apprised the President of various developmental activities being undertaken in the province. The delegation appreciated the President for his keen interest to resolve the problems and issues of the people of Balochistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari says ‘participated in Musharraf exit talks’

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he participated in the talks which led to the safe exit of former president Pervez Musharraf.

President Asif Ali Zardari said the local and foreign officials were part of the deal under which former president was provided a safe passage.

“All the stakeholders were on same page at the time of making the decision regarding the former president Pervez Musharraf,” he said adding “it was unanimously decided that now he (Pervez Musharraf) will play golf.”

Regarding corruption charges, President Zardari said all the ‘stories of corruption’ are part of a campaign of maligning the politicians.

He said no minus-one formula can meet success in the absence of a president like Farooq Leghari.

BB’s slaying led to my return: Zardari

LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday dismissed the world’s perception that he left the country in a difficult of trial.
In an interview with a British daily, the President said: “I travel so much and meet world leaders so much because whatever I need to do on the ground can be done more efficiently when I am helped. If I hadn’t travelled, I wouldn’t be going back with nearly $1 billion (£660m) of aid. I am grateful but I need more, much more.”
He said terrorism is not just Pakistan’s problem but it is “world’s problem”.
“It’s no good everyone being in denial. If we don’t defeat the militants, where will they go next?” he questioned.
“If they hadn’t taken her (Ms Benazir Bhutto) away so rudely from me, I wouldn’t have come back to fight as I have, and I don’t think her son would have taken up this responsibility.”
To a question regarding his children, President Zardari said: “I think they’re brave children, they have brave genes. She’s made them grow up realising life is not just about yourself but to live for a larger cause.”
To another question about Swat peace deal he said: “I didn’t hand over anything, you won’t catch me handing anything over. The provincial government had already signed the agreement and I just passed it to parliament, and they signed it.”
He said it was a good thing, because it exposed Sufi Muhammad for what he was.