President Asif Ali Zardari Praises Qatar’s Constructive Role in Promoting Regional Peace and Dialogue

Doha: President Asif Ali Zardari, in an exclusive interview with Qatar’s English daily The Peninsula, lauded Qatar’s constructive role in promoting peace, dialogue, and stability across the region.

The President said that the partnership between Pakistan and Qatar holds strategic importance for ensuring regional peace, energy security, and social progress. He emphasized that Pakistan and Gulf countries could further enhance cooperation in workforce development, skill enhancement, and sustainable investment.

Praising Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, President Zardari noted that Qatar has played a crucial mediating role in regional peace, particularly by facilitating negotiations between Hamas and international stakeholders, as well as hosting talks between the United States and the Taliban.

He said Qatar’s facilitation paved the way for the Afghan peace process and helped address Pakistan’s regional security concerns. “The Doha Process aims to create opportunities for regional and global cooperation,” he added.

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Highlighting Pakistan’s social protection initiatives, President Zardari stated that the government is addressing challenges related to poverty, education, and health through targeted investments in social welfare and human capital. He noted that under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), more than nine million families are receiving direct financial assistance.

“Programs such as Waseela-e-Taleem and Nashonuma are improving children’s education and nutrition standards,” he said.

President Zardari added that Pakistan’s social policy aligns with the principles of the Doha Declaration, which stresses universal social protection and inclusive economic recovery. He said the declaration rightly recognizes that social protection and climate adaptation must go hand in hand.

“Climate change directly affects livelihoods and employment,” the President warned, adding that cash assistance for flood victims played a crucial role in accelerating recovery efforts. He further said that Pakistan is strengthening its social protection systems for greater climate resilience.

“The digital wallets introduced under BISP are empowering women economically,” President Zardari remarked, concluding that “we envision a Pakistan where women are empowered and youth have access to dignified employment opportunities.”