Mutual harmony, dialogue need of hour: Zardari

LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that for the continuity of democracy and stability of institutions, the promotion of mutual harmony and political dialogue is the need of the hour.

“For a lasting solution to public problems, we have to move forward with consultation and cooperation with all segments of society.”

The president stated this while talking to a PPP South Punjab delegation consisting of Zaka Ashraf, Mumtaz Ali Chang, Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Makhdoom Tahir at the Governor’s House on Thursday. The longstanding problems facing South Punjab and other issues were discussed the meeting. Zardari praised the role of all political forces in the stability of democratic values.

The president also met socio-political figures from the central districts of Punjab, Faisalabad, Gujarat and Hafizabad former federal minister Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Tanveer Ashraf, Bilal Farooq, Umar Farooq, Osama Farooq, Ali Jafar, and Hira Tanveer. He said: “The young generation is our capital, the foundation of a prosperous Pakistan can be laid only through their education, training, and participation. It is in the national interest to take all units together at the federal level, promote cooperation with the provinces, and ensure the welfare of the citizens.”

The delegation apprised Zardari of the problems faced by the people of Faisalabad, Gujrat, and Hafizabad, as well as other districts of central Punjab, and presented suggestions to utilize the talent of youths in national development. The president said that equitable development, national unity, and strengthening of democratic institutions in all regions of the country are top priorities.

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising Punjab Assembly Member Inam Lalika, Chaudhry Owais, PPP leader Nawazish Ali Pirzada, Mian Amir, OGDCL Employees Union President Zahid Bhutto, and Maira Hashmi also met the president. They discussed various socio-political issues of the country, cooperation between the provinces, and opportunities for youths. The president said for the development and stability of Pakistan, it was necessary that all sectors and all political and social forces worked together. “The aim of all of us should be to serve the people and improve the country. It is necessary to adopt a coordinated strategy to protect the rights of workers and empower the youth. Cooperation and political unity between the federation and the provinces is a guarantee of national security, for this a positive role will have to be played at every level.”