Stable Pak key to defeating terror, ensuring peace in S. Asia: Zardari

London, Aug. 10 (ANI): President Asif Ali Zardari has asserted that a democratic, strong and economically stable Pakistan, in partnership with Britain and the West, is the key to defeating the menace posed by terrorists around the world.

"Terrorism is not just Pakistan's problem. The Kabul conference last month acknowledged that the problem in Afghanistan was regional and needed a regional solution. Stability in central and South Asia will depend on regional and international cooperation to attack the terrorist threat politically, economically and militarily," Zardari said in his article for the Financial Times.

"We must seek to undo the environment under which terrorists thrive, from hunger to hopelessness to poverty. And we should remember that as long as the human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir remain unaddressed, peace and stability in the region will be elusive. These are challenging times for the world, most particularly for Pakistan. But we have every intention of prevailing militarily, politically and socially to defeat the forces of obscurantism," The Nation further quoted Zardari, as saying in his article.

Referring to the catastrophic floods that have ravaged Pakistan, Zardari defended his decision to travel abroad during the catastrophe, saying: "There is a very specific reason. Pakistan's sacrifices must be told to the world. For historical and cultural reasons, London is vital for generating global political and humanitarian awareness."

"It has been two and a half years since democratic government came to power in Pakistan and less than two years since I assumed the presidency. We inherited socio-economic chaos. Fanatics and terrorists were challenging our people's way of life, which is rooted in the principles laid out by our founding fathers for a democratic, liberal, tolerant, progressive and forward-looking Pakistan," he said.

"My party was determined to save the federation and rebuild our economy. In spite of facing terrorism from within and without, we moved quickly to reshape a new Pakistan. Our economic planning has reduced the fiscal deficit, gross domestic product growth is improving, while inflation has decelerated. Foreign investment and foreign exchange reserves are increasing," Zardari said. (ANI)