Zardari at the UN

In his address to the UN General Assembly President Zardari underlined a number of issues that need to be urgently addressed to uproot terrorism, sustain and reinforce democracy and bring peace and prosperity to South Asia.
He called on the western democracies, especially the US, to provide the required assistance to settle those affected by militancy, cooperate in sustaining democracy by helping in economic revival and creating economic opportunities through measures like market access. He also emphasised the need for the resumption of dialogue with India for which meaningful progress on Kashmir was a must.
The Kashmir issue continues to poison the relations between Pakistan and India, forcing both to divert their scarce resources that should have been utilised for the much needed social and economic development to a wasteful competition in acquiring costly weapons systems and in a nuclear race. While Pakistan has not officially abandoned its stand regarding a resolution of the issue through a UN organised referendum, Musharraf government expressed willingness to consider other solutions also provided they were acceptable to Kashmiris. In a similar display of flexibility, President Zardari did not mention the UN resolution in his address.
He said his government looked forward to the resumption of the composite dialogue, suspended unilaterally by India after Mumbai attacks. A peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute through talks that also have the support of the Kahmiris would help remove a major grievance that has fuelled militancy in India. What is more it would bring permanent peace to South Asia, help governments reduce military expenses and promote economic co-operation and trade and put life into SAARC.
The West which planted and nourished militancy in the tribal areas to 'confront the rival ideology', as Zardari has put it, owes it to Pakistan to do more to enable it to cope with its horrendous after-effects. Despite a surge in Afghanistan, the allied military commanders have failed to seal their side of the border with the result that weapons and funds meant for the Taliban continue to pour into Pakistan. The world also needs to deal with the issues of poverty and illiteracy that provide an environment conducive to the breeding of militant tendencies.
That there is no mention of the promised ROZs in the US assistance bill passed early this week would disappoint many. There is a dire need to provide Pakistan with market access as it would help the businesses expand, bring more taxes to the national kitty and provide more jobs. What is more, with an upturn in the economy, Pakistan would be less dependent on foreign assistance.