We won't tolerate violation in the name of fighting terrorism: Zardari
Sunday, 21 September 2008
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 20 (Bloomberg): Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari said the country wouldn't brook any breaches of national sovereignty in the fight against terrorism, reiterating his government's anger at raids on its territory by US-led forces.
``We will not tolerate violation of our sovereignty by any other country in the name of combating terrorism,'' Zardari, who is also the co-head of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, told lawmakers in his first speech to parliament today. He didn't name any country when referring to sovereignty.
Zardari also asked lawmakers to reduce the powers of the president, including the right to dissolve parliament and dismiss the government. The presidential powers were increased by Musharraf during his tenure.
``Never before in the history of this country has a president stood here and given away his powers,'' he said. ``I am committed to the supremacy of parliament.''
Pakistan has blamed US-led forces in Afghanistan for carrying out attacks on its territory in the past few months and has called for an end to cross-border raids, which the South Asian country says is a breach of sovereignty.
The military has said it reserves the right to retaliate against US raids.
Zardari, who replaced Pervez Musharraf on Sept. 9, oversees the policies of the six-month-old PPP-led coalition government, whose efforts to revive the sliding economy have been hampered by political bickering and strained relations with the US Zardari is scheduled to meet President George W. Bush on Sept. 23 during a visit to the US starting next week.
The Bush administration has increased pressure on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's government to do more to curb rising militancy in Pakistan. Gilani belongs to the PPP.
``We will not tolerate violation of our sovereignty by any other country in the name of combating terrorism,'' Zardari, who is also the co-head of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, told lawmakers in his first speech to parliament today. He didn't name any country when referring to sovereignty.
Zardari also asked lawmakers to reduce the powers of the president, including the right to dissolve parliament and dismiss the government. The presidential powers were increased by Musharraf during his tenure.
``Never before in the history of this country has a president stood here and given away his powers,'' he said. ``I am committed to the supremacy of parliament.''
Pakistan has blamed US-led forces in Afghanistan for carrying out attacks on its territory in the past few months and has called for an end to cross-border raids, which the South Asian country says is a breach of sovereignty.
The military has said it reserves the right to retaliate against US raids.
Zardari, who replaced Pervez Musharraf on Sept. 9, oversees the policies of the six-month-old PPP-led coalition government, whose efforts to revive the sliding economy have been hampered by political bickering and strained relations with the US Zardari is scheduled to meet President George W. Bush on Sept. 23 during a visit to the US starting next week.
The Bush administration has increased pressure on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's government to do more to curb rising militancy in Pakistan. Gilani belongs to the PPP.