President Asif Ali Zardari has said that non-state actors intend to promote fundamentalism and extremism in the country, but as the flag of Pakistan has been raised in Swat, success would be achieved even in Waziristan. Addressing a delegation of People's Lawyers Forum (PLF) here on Tuesday, he said the country was faced with multiple challenges, but they had accepted the government too as a challenge.
The President said that the government of PPP had faced and fought the menace of authoritarianism and extremism in the country. He averred that by forming Friends of Pakistan they had opened the path to negotiation. He said the country had importance in the region and its role too would be important in that context, he added.
The President assured the delegation that the government would build housing colonies for Bar Associations in the country. He announced aid for needy families under the "Waseela Haq" programme, saying balloting would be held for that.
He stressed upon those who were following Bhutto Shaheed's way of politics to create the spirit of the martyrs too. The President stated that he had a family graveyard but had chosen for himself a graveyard of martyrs.
The President vowed that they would fight out extremism and face enemy of Pakistan and raise the flag of Pakistan even in Waziristan. A delegation of United Film Association of Pakistan also met the President during the day. In the meeting the President approved the establishing of Film Development Authority.
In hour-long meeting at the Governor's House, the delegation apprised the President of their problems. The President told the delegation that he was aware of their problems and would do utmost to save the industry. He told the delegation that the government in order to safeguard the industry would provide latest facilities for film making including providing funds.
The President also accepted the demand of free medical facilities and residential colony for them. President Zardari said that he had sent the recommendations of Senate's Standing Committee pertaining to them to the relevant departments. He said these recommendations would be implemented soon. The delegation was consisted of Mustafa Querashi, Aslam Dar, Bihar Begum, Syed Noor, Mian Amjad Farzand and Ghulam Mohiuddin.
During the day, the President also met a delegation of Shahdara citizens led by General Secretary PPP Punjab, Sami Ullah Khan. The President accepted their demand and announced exemption from toll tax at Ravi Bridge for the citizens of the area.