Greets the Nation at
the Start of Year 2009
Islamabad, January 01,
2009: The Federal Minister
for Information and Broadcasting
Ms Sherry Rehman has said
that at the start of the
Year 2009, the Government
reiterates its resolve
for peace, reconciliation,
political stability, economic
prosperity and welfare
for the nation.
“The Year 2008
was a year of change at
multiple levels. We in
Pakistan committed ourselves
to democratic rule as
we voted for a people’s
representative government.
More importantly, the
nation showed amazing
resilience and commitment
to democracy as it supported
us while we took measures
to put institutions in
order,” said Ms
Sherry Rehman extending
her greetings to the nation
at the start of the Year
2009.
The Federal Information
Minister said that the
UN has declared 2009 as
the International Year
of Reconciliation. “Reconciliation
was Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto’s key message
as she returned to Pakistan
in 2007 to struggle for
the restoration of democracy.
The PPP Government took
office last year guided
by Shaheed Mohtarma’s
vision for a democratic
order where all legitimate
political groups get adequate
space for representation,
while all sections of
the society are afforded
the opportunity to work
for the welfare of the
country,”
Ms Sherry Rehman pointed
out that following its
agenda of reconciliation,
the Pakistan Peoples Party
encouraged the formation
of a coalition government
since all groups deserve
representation for a sound
political structure. “Reconciliation
is a long term process
and demands patience and
negotiation on multiple
levels. Our nation has
paid a heavy price for
democracy and being their
representatives, it is
the responsibility of
all political groups to
work together to strengthen
the roots of people’s
rule in the country.”
Ms Sherry Rehman said
that the government would
continue to pursue the
agenda of peace and reconciliation
in all its internal and
external relations. “Recent
years have seen major
shifts in the dynamics
of conflict, governance
and ties between nations.
For the last three decades,
Pakistan has been battling
with terrorism that is
a major challenge to regional
as well as international
peace. We cannot allow
non state actors to influence
the functions of our state
or our relations with
other countries. Pakistan
is determined to fight
these elements while we
continue to seek regional
and world security.”