Los Angeles, June 28: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said his country is poised for an economic surge due to its emerging partnership with the United States, and he added that Muslims should move forward in politically trying times with a strategy of "enlightened moderation". Speaking to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council yesterday, Musharraf did not expressly refer to the $3 billion in economic and military aid pledged by President George W Bush this week while the two leaders met at Camp David.
Nevertheless, Musharraf gave assurances his government was helping to ensure a "functional democracy" within Pakistan, after what he described as a long period of democratic dysfunction. "All economic indicators today are positive and the country is at a take-off point," Musharraf said. "I'm proud to say that."
In his speech, Musharraf spoke not only about the alliance between the United States and Pakistan, but also about its relations with India, the rebuilding of Afghanistan, terrorism and the future of the Muslim world. Noting Pakistan desires a sovereign equality with India, Musharraf criticised India's handling of the Kashmir issue and said India needs to realise there's more than one side to be heard.
"Reality dictates that this stubborn denial of the existence of Kashmir as a dispute, this attitude has to be changed," he said. Bureau Report