President Asif Ali Zardari has stated that politics is a field that demands resilience and the ability to endure hardships, and anyone who cannot tolerate such challenges should consider choosing another profession.
Addressing a public gathering, the President said that the overall situation of the country has improved compared to the past, although complete stability and recovery will take time. He emphasized that the development and progress of Pakistan is a continuous and long-term process in which state institutions and the public are moving forward together despite challenges.
Referring to the political situation in his speech, Asif Ali Zardari remarked that a certain individual was accustomed to delivering daily speeches, but facing real-world challenges is a true test for every politician. He mentioned his own imprisonment, stating that he spent 14 years in jail, and when he met his children afterward, they had grown taller than him, which was an emotional moment for him.
He said that when that individual’s speech was broadcast on television, other speeches were halted, and now less than a year and a half later, voices are being heard claiming that meetings are not being allowed.
President Zardari stated that tolerance, flexibility, and political maturity are essential requirements in politics, and if someone cannot endure hardships, they should opt for another field. He added that politics is a multidimensional responsibility that encompasses all sectors, and governance requires seriousness and foresight to effectively address the country’s challenges.
He linked national development to the strengthening of the agricultural sector, stating that farmers are the backbone of the economy. Sustainable development, he said, depends on promoting modern agricultural practices and providing facilities to farmers. According to him, a permanent solution to Pakistan’s economic challenges lies in agriculture, and empowering farmers is the need of the hour.
The president stressed the effective use of water resources, stating that better management of water is essential. He noted that the country does not lack resources but requires continuity and proper planning.
Referring to the political situation in various provinces, he said that each province faces different circumstances, but all provinces must work together for the country’s development, as any halt in progress can have long-term negative consequences.
President Zardari also stated that he increased the salaries of judges to strengthen the judicial system and expressed the hope that future generations would remember the current leadership positively.
He described Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein and said that not even an inch of it would be compromised. Referring to former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he said that he made Pakistan a nuclear power in view of regional threats to ensure national security.
President Zardari stated that political cooperation helps prevent extremist tendencies, and therefore all political forces must work together in the national interest. He reaffirmed his commitment to making Pakistan a strong, stable, and developed state through political harmony and cooperation.
