One Year of Presidency
Mr. Farhatullah Babar -  

 
 
1. A conscious decision was taken by the President to pursue policy of national reconciliation as key to social and political stability for the continuation of democratic order.
 
In this context Mr. Asif Ali Zardari as Party Co Chairman sought apology on behalf of the PPP from the people of Balochistan and later as President called upon the Parliament to heal the wounds of the past by consider giving amnesty to Baloch exiles.
 
This policy of national reconciliation is critical for political stability.
 
2. Building of a national consensus against militants and militancy and the creation of an enabling environment to initiate war against militants and pursue it to logical conclusion. Gone are the days whenPakistan was blamed for ?running with the hare and hunting with the hound? in the war on terror. NowPakistan asks the international community to do more.
 
3. Retreat of militants from Swat and Malakand and safe and honorable return of the IDPs to their homes.
 
4. Far reaching initiatives in the realm of Foreign Policy.
 
The international community was brought together on the platform of "Friends of Democratic Pakistan" to lend strategic support to Pakistan in these difficult times on the one hand and a vigorous economic diplomacy was launched on the other to help Pakistan overcome its economic problems.
 
5. Look China Policy- China visits every three months to pursue the objective of economic diplomacy and translating the strong political ties into strong economic ties between the two countries.
 
6. Progress on the building of Neelum Jhehlum power project, Bhasha Dam and signing of MoU withChina for building the 7000 MW Bunji Dams in Northern Areas.
 
7. Over fifty new initiatives and more than thirty MoUs signed with China on different projects notably on hybrid seeds, sprinkle irrigation, telecommunication and the like.
 
8. Sites for 13 small and medium dams in all the four provinces of the country identified and Chinese investors invited to bid. Under a new concept of economic development of the areas and women empowerment the land in the command areas of these dams will be given free to the poor women.
 
9. Decision to set up Special industrial zones in the country. Chinese entrepreneurs have been offered incentives to invest in these zones. Pakistan will benefit by way of jobs to the locals.
 
10. Iran ?Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project signed.
 
11. MoU signed for the Tajekistan-Pakistan power transmission line via Afghanistan to bring electric power to Pakistan.
 
12. MoU signed for the building of a 1360 kilometer road linking Pakistan via Chitral with Central Asiathrough Tajekistan.
 
13. Adoption of Kerry Lugar Bill tripling assistance to Pakistan and de-linking military assistance from economic assistance. Under this Bill 1.5 billion dollars of economic assistance for the next five years which will be extended to ten years.
 
14. President?s initiative seeking access to Pakistan manufactures to the European markets bearing fruit as both British Prime Minister and President Sarkozi of France pledged to support Pakistan?s quest.  In June last the British Prime Minister addressed a personal letter to all the heads of EU urging them to address this issue urgently.
 
15. Britain enhanced its economic assistance to Pakistan to 650 million pounds over the next four years. During visits to France and UK both countries announced aid of 120 million euros each for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.
 
16. For the first time in decades France agreed to assist Pakistan in civilian nuclear technology. This was announced by President Sarkozi himself during President Zardari's visit to that country in May this year.
 
17. Setting up of the UN Commission on Inquiry into the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
 
18. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a poverty alleviation program to extricate poorest of the poor from abject poverty.
 
Based on a new concept the Benazir Card is designed as a vehicle to empower the poor particularly the women and to enhance the purchasing power of the poorest of the poor. International donors have endorsed its transparency and viability.
 
19. When PPP government took over power the country was faced with severe economic crunch. Difficult decisions were taken while launching the Macro economic stabilization program. The macro economic stabilization program has started bearing fruit and the credit worthiness of Pakistan

improved by international bodies like the S&P.
 
20. First President to have asked the Parliament to remove the dictatorial clauses introduced into the constitution by successive dictators. Urged the parliament in his address and then addressed a letter to the Prime Minister to expedite it.
 
21. For the first time the over one hundred year old Frontier Crimes Regulation governing the administration in tribal areas has been amended by removing/amending the draconian clauses that violated the basic human rights.
 
22. For the first time the Political Parties Order extended to the tribal areas enabling the secular political parties to organize political activities in these areas and thereby provide an alternative political ideology to the people of these areas.
 
23. Announcement of the Gilgit Baltistan Reforms Package empowering the people through their own local government and their own Assembly.
 
24. Reinstatement of thousand of sacked workers in organizations like the OGDC, SNGPL, PIA and other state run entities.
 
25. Workers of state run enterprises made share holders in the enterprises.--