Zardari urges Pakistan to "move on"

Islamabad, Mar. 21 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the nation to forget the recent political crisis, and said the restoration of the sacked judges offers an opportunity to move on.

"We welcome all the judges to their pre-November 3, 2007 positions. It is time to look forward and build on what has already been achieved, it is time to forget the past and it is time to move on," the Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

At a farewell dinner for outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar, Zardari said he would always bow to the judges, regardless of whether he was the president or an ordinary citizen.

"I wish to commend Chief Justice Dogar and wish him good luck in the future. My lords, you have seen me appearing and bowing before you in courts. Today, as I stand here as the President of Pakistan, I once again bow before the majesty of your lordships," he said.

Zardari also said he had witnessed state institutions repeatedly being pushed back in Pakistan, but they always bounced back.

"It has been our vision that the institutions grow and gain strength through evolution and continuity," he said, adding it was unfortunate that some people were critical of this view.

The prime minister, Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, federal ministers, Supreme Court judges, services chiefs, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, parliamentarians and several senior government officials attended the dinner. (ANI)