LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Saturday night that he would not become Ghulam Ishaq Khan and would hand over the ruling power to the winning party, adding that former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would lead the election campaign for Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Dispatch News Desk (DND) reported on Sunday.
Talking to leading journalists‚ editors and media persons of print and electronic media during a dinner hosted by him at Bilawal House in Lahore on Saturday night, the President said the government is about to complete its five years and a transition from democracy to democracy would take place.
The President said that the credit for this goes to all the political parties‚ the civil society and democracy loving elements that supported democracy. He said path shown by the Constitution would be followed for setting up of the care taker government and holding of free and fair elections.
Talking about his recent visit to Tehran, the President said that the recent foreign policy initiatives namely Pak-Iran gas pipeline and entrusting Gwadar Port to China were aimed at securing and guaranteeing the prosperity of future generations.
During his visit, he and the Iranian leadership agreed upon the need for expeditious completion of mega projects including the Iran-Pak gas pipeline which will help the country to meet gas and the energy shortages, the President said.
The $7.5 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project will be formally inaugurated on March 11 in the Iranian city of Chahbahar.
About the reported objections emanating from some quarters‚ the President said Pakistan is a sovereign country and it is acting in its national interest. He expressed the hope that with the passage of time the critics will appreciate Pakistan’s growing energy requirement and the need for Iran-Pak gas pipeline.
Referring to the transfer of Gwadar port operation from Singapore to China‚ President said with this transfer Gwadar port will become hub of trade and commence activities in the region and beyond.
It will bring progress and prosperity to the people of Balochistan and economic gains for the rest of the country.
DND
