President General Pervez Musharraf said late Tuesday evening that fight against terrorism would not be fully successful in the long-term until political disputes are addressed, poverty is stemmed and higher levels of literacy are achieved for continued socio-economic development.
"We must address these root causes of extremism and terrorism to achieve full success in the war on terror because - the war lies in resolving political disputes, arresting poverty and achieving higher levels of literacy," he told a gathering of eminent Pakistanis.
Speaking at a gala dinner, jointly organised by the National Commission for Human Development and the UN Development Programme, the President said terrorism afflicts the world and "Pakistan is at the centre stage of fighting the menace."
He described terrorism as the 'biggest threat' to Pakistan, saying the country is fighting the problem by taking actions against planners, executors, and abettors of terror, and also focusing on economic progress and human resource development.
Musharraf said to address the menace of terror at the world level he has put forward a two-pronged strategy of Enlightened Moderation under which the West should help resolve the political disputes involving the Muslims with justice.
Stressing that without economic turnaround, Pakistan cannot reduce poverty and spread education, he informed the gathering about a string of economic achievements made in the last four years.
"We have worked with all the sincerity and produced effective results as exports and revenue generation have increased by 80 percent, inflation is low, the credit rating is high, debt-servicing liability is down, and development funds are up by 40 percent", said the President.
He also referred to the introduction of political reforms.
Musharraf said with the introduction of local governments the gap between policy formulation and policy implementation is being bridged so that benefits of economic turnaround are transferred to common man.
He lauded the successful work of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) in the far-off and rural areas of the country, and urged all Pakistanis to contribute generously to the Human Development Fund, assuring that the fund would be used honestly and only for the welfare of the poor.
The President praised the commitment of National Commission for Human Development NCHD Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf, saying the NCHD has done a wonderful job by reaching out the deprived people in key areas of health and education, which are crucial to country's sustainable progress.
Referring to Pakistan's image, the President said a range of steps have been taken to project soft face of Pakistan through promotion of culture, sports and tourism. In this respect, he referred to setting up of an academy of performing arts in Karachi, an ethno-culture museum, and a monument in Islamabad, and Bab-e-Pakistan in Lahore.
A documentary named after President's remarks 'Light and Hope' and showing changes brought about by NCHD programmes in the lives of rural men, women and children.
President's remarks that he saw glitter and hope in the eyes of the poor children received tumultuous applause from the eminent gathering that drew Pakistanis from across the United States as well as from some European countries.
Earlier, the audience presented a standing ovation to the President upon his arrival.
A spectacularly staged 'Kathak' dance extravaganza 'Anarkali' drew great appreciation from the audience.