President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday said the new government can meet the challenges of terrorism, energy crisis, rising fuel and food prices through good governance and by always keeping "Pakistan First".
Addressing a farewell dinner in honour of the outgoing caretaker government headed by Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro and his 28-member cabinet at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said Pakistan now needs to look forward and progress on path of democracy.
"Politicking has to give way to good governance," the President said and added "I am confident that the new government will consider Pakistan always first and face the challenges it faces."
He said the economy was on the upsurge and all macro-economic indicators were strong. He cited a recent report by Merrill Lynch that attributed these to healthy economic policies over the past several years. The President said the country in the past few months has been through a "turmoil", however stressed that the new government must sustain the economic growth to meet the difficulties it faces.
President Musharraf also pointed at the rising prices of international fuel, edible oil and wheat and said the days of cheap food are now over. He said the current energy shortage was the fallout of rapid industrialisation and said the growth in the energy sector must match the growth in the national economy.
However he pointed that maintenance of law and order was an important prerequisite to achieve this balance. "I hope the new government will meet and understand these challenges and move Pakistan forward on the path of progress, peace and prosperity," he added.
The President also lauded the role of the caretaker government for successfully fulfilling the constitutional obligations in a befitting manner. "You deserve commendation from the whole nation," the President said while noting the role of the caretaker governments in the centre and the provinces. He said the caretaker set-up was announced with "noble intentions" to ensure fair play and for transitioning of one government to another.
He expressed his gratitude to the caretaker government, the election commission and all those related for holding free, fair, transparent election in a peaceful manner. Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro said he felt satisfied on accomplishing the task assigned to it, despite all the challenges that cropped up.
He said under the President''s guidance, his government ensured that development and economic activity remains on target. He said the electoral process was acknowledged globally and high standards were introduced to bring impartiality and fairness to the process.
"We thank the Almighty Allah that helped us come up to the expectations of the nation," he said and added that without the teamwork, this task would not have been achieved. The dinner was attended by Chief Justice, governors and chief ministers, the Services Chiefs and federal secretaries.