Shared goals with SCO - I

Building up a graceful image of Pakistan has been the hallmark of PPP-led government's foreign policy as its leaders have been quite successful in presenting the country's case to the world at large, with firm faith in our destiny that now seems to be in sight as a result of this devotion and commitment.
The same patriotism and conviction was witnessed during the recent visit by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he had gone to attend the 11th Heads of Governments Council Meeting of SCO (Shanghai Co-operation Organisation).
The stress on these terms 'conviction, devotion and commitment' is neither cosmetic nor aimed at praising the government for the sake of it. These positives are evident from their (PPP leaders') actions that should be evaluated in the backdrop of country's predicament, the difficulties that the country is confronted with for quite some time and which could have easily shaken the people on the top had they not been made of strong nerves. Of course, it was a test of nerves that the PPP government has been through during all these years and hats off to PPP Co-Chairperson and President, Asif Ali Zardari and his efficient team that did not surrender to these harsh circumstances and, instead, continued their fight with perseverance. The PPP government also remained undeterred by ugly happenings including the escalation in acts of terrorism, sectarian killings and enemy-sponsored violence with a countrywide gloom.
And whenever they got an opportunity at any regional or international forum, these leaders have been highlighting the internal and external dangers facing Pakistan in the broader context that also afflict the entire world with specific reference to rampant terrorism.
Kaira too seized the opportunity provided by the meeting to make the comparatively self-sustaining member-countries realise that security does not only require military action, but is also built on a strong economy, political stability and better standard of living of the people. This concept of security, as elaborated by Kaira, is universally recognised and it ought to be adopted as a permanent policy guideline so as to ensure better future for the masses.