All political forces will be taken along for rebuilding: Zardari

“We are passing through a difficult time and we have to be united as a nation at this juncture. This is not a time for politics. This is a time for unity and to rebuild Pakistan. This is an opportunity. We can make our paradise or hell here, he noted.

President said that his effort was to unite all the political forces. “ I will continue to do so as a democratic soul. I beg all the parties to be united”, he added.

He was of the opinion that political forces have to be united so that all the people stand together at this crucial time to rebuild Pakistan from its own resources.

“I will not let my coalition partners go from our fold whether they are Altaf Bhai, Asfandyar Wali or Mian Nawaz Sharif or Baloch leaders.

The president vowed to rebuild Pakistan on modern lines with the help of modern technology and turn the challenge into an opportunity. Let us resolve that we take this as a challenge and convert it into an opportunity to give every broken road, house, bridges, canals a “new look”, he remarked.

He pointed out that he has asked the development financial institutions (DFIs) to prepare a plan to raise funds for rehabilitation through stock market on build own and operate (BOO) basis and not on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

This will create a highway for all future development projects because this will ensure a higher return and everybody should come to get a share in it, he noted.

President Zardari said half of Pakistan was inundated in the floods a catastrophe never seen in the past.

He thanked world community for helping Pakistan at this time of need and said it is the duty of Pakistanis to also contribute their share in this effort.

He said the magnitude of the devastation is enormous and therefore much more is needed to rehabilitate the flood victims.

President also thanked Sindh Governor for arranging this interaction with the prominent persons belonging to various walks of life to generate ideas for rehabilitation.

He said the Pakistans infrastructure should be made again keeping in view the calamity concept so that the losses are minimized in the recurrence of similar catastrophe. We will turnaround Pakistan and do it at our own, he observed.

Responding to a question, he said that meager funds were allocated for the restrengthening of protective bunds in the last 15 years due to a prolong drought.

President Zardari said that his son and daughter were busy in relief work for the flood victims.

Replying to a question regarding the rebuilding effort, he said that an initial plan is ready, but the flood is still unfolding its devastation and therefore this plan is put on a hold for some time.

Responding to a question, he said terrorism was a cancer and the government will treat this disease like other diseases as doctor.

Replying to another question about the comments of MQM leader Altaf Hussain, he said that the criticism of Altaf Bhai are always like suggestions.

He said that all the details of foreign and local aid will be put on a website to ensure transparency in its utilization.

Earlier Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, in his opening remarks, said that the country was passing through a testing time and needed the support of every citizen.

The Governor said that he had held several meetings with leading businessmen, chambers of commerce, American Business Council, OICCI, all Consul Generals in Karachi, ulema of various schools of thought, media persons and artists to generate ideas for flood relief and rehabilitation work.

“Today’s interactive session is aimed at getting your (President Zardari’s) guidance to smoothly bail out Pakistan from this challenging time”, he added.

KARACHI, Sep 8 (APP)- President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Wednesday that he will take along all political forces including MQM, ANP, PML (N) and Baloch leaders to rebuild Pakistan. He was speaking at an interactive session with prominent persons from various walks of life at Governor House in connection with flood relief and rehabilitation activities. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, provincial ministers, leading businessmen, diplomats, ulema, artists, editors of newspaper, leading anchor-persons were also present on the occasion.
“We are passing through a difficult time and we have to be united as a nation at this juncture. This is not a time for politics. This is a time for unity and to rebuild Pakistan. This is an opportunity. We can make our paradise or hell here, he noted. President said that his effort was to unite all the political forces. “ I will continue to do so as a democratic soul. I beg all the parties to be united”, he added.He was of the opinion that political forces have to be united so that all the people stand together at this crucial time to rebuild Pakistan from its own resources.“I will not let my coalition partners go from our fold whether they are Altaf Bhai, Asfandyar Wali or Mian Nawaz Sharif or Baloch leaders.The president vowed to rebuild Pakistan on modern lines with the help of modern technology and turn the challenge into an opportunity. Let us resolve that we take this as a challenge and convert it into an opportunity to give every broken road, house, bridges, canals a “new look”, he remarked.He pointed out that he has asked the development financial institutions (DFIs) to prepare a plan to raise funds for rehabilitation through stock market on build own and operate (BOO) basis and not on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.This will create a highway for all future development projects because this will ensure a higher return and everybody should come to get a share in it, he noted.President Zardari said half of Pakistan was inundated in the floods a catastrophe never seen in the past.He thanked world community for helping Pakistan at this time of need and said it is the duty of Pakistanis to also contribute their share in this effort.He said the magnitude of the devastation is enormous and therefore much more is needed to rehabilitate the flood victims.President also thanked Sindh Governor for arranging this interaction with the prominent persons belonging to various walks of life to generate ideas for rehabilitation. He said the Pakistans infrastructure should be made again keeping in view the calamity concept so that the losses are minimized in the recurrence of similar catastrophe. We will turnaround Pakistan and do it at our own, he observed.Responding to a question, he said that meager funds were allocated for the restrengthening of protective bunds in the last 15 years due to a prolong drought. President Zardari said that his son and daughter were busy in relief work for the flood victims.Replying to a question regarding the rebuilding effort, he said that an initial plan is ready, but the flood is still unfolding its devastation and therefore this plan is put on a hold for some time.Responding to a question, he said terrorism was a cancer and the government will treat this disease like other diseases as doctor.Replying to another question about the comments of MQM leader Altaf Hussain, he said that the criticism of Altaf Bhai are always like suggestions.He said that all the details of foreign and local aid will be put on a website to ensure transparency in its utilization.Earlier Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, in his opening remarks, said that the country was passing through a testing time and needed the support of every citizen. The Governor said that he had held several meetings with leading businessmen, chambers of commerce, American Business Council, OICCI, all Consul Generals in Karachi, ulema of various schools of thought, media persons and artists to generate ideas for flood relief and rehabilitation work.“Today’s interactive session is aimed at getting your (President Zardari’s) guidance to smoothly bail out Pakistan from this challenging time”, he added – APP