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Jehangir Badr appeals for Arab support
Dr Jassim Taqui
Deputy Editor (IR)
Pakistan is facing a critical phase. I appeal for Arab support and
cooperation to face the challenges we all face,” stated Mr. Jehangir
Badr, Secretary General, PPP in a luncheon at the residence of the
Tunisian Ambassador Mr. Zouhair Dhaouadi. Bard recalled the role
played by late Z.A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in strengthening the
relations between Pakistan and the Arab world and said that the
present PPP-led coalition government would not deviate from the
pro-Arab policies.
Speaking on the present crisis within the coalition, Mr. Badr said
that the PPP would attempt to convince Mr. Nawaz Sharif to re-join
the coalition. “ If Mr. Nawaz Sharif insisted on his stance, we
would continue talking to him. We will also support the PML-N
government in Punjab,” Badr said.
Answering a question on the possible date to reinstate the judges,
Mr. Badr said that he could not predict a specific date and that in
politics, there should not be deadlines .
On the political dispensation, Mr. Badr said that PPP would do its
level best to preserve the present political dispensation and
democratic system “ since its failure means the surge of
non-democratic powers in the country.” He said that there were “
certain elements,” who attempt to sabotage the democratic system.
However, he declined to specify these elements saying that he was
not authorized by the PPP leadership to speak on confidential
matters.
Mr. Badr disclosed that he would hold a convention on FATA and would
invite all Arab ambassadors to the convention. He went on to state,
“ PPP exists everywhere in Pakistan. In compliance to instructions
from late Benazir Bhutto, PPP started functioning in FATA, South
Waziristan and North Waziristan.”
Commenting on the talks with the militants, Mr. Badr confirmed the
talks but said that those talks were being conducted with those
elements who were ready to give up armed struggle.
Mr. Badr disclosed that he would launch a new book that he wrote
while he was in jail. He invited the Arab ambassador to attend the
launching ceremony, which would be chaired by PPP co-Chairman Mr.
Asif Ali Zardari.
On behalf of the Arab ambassadors, Mr. Dhaouadi thanked Mr. Jehangir
Badr for briefing the Arab Ambassadors and assured him that all Arab
ambassadors are well-wishers of Pakistan and pray for her welfare,
prosperity, and stability .
The Arab Ambassadors accepted Badr’s invitation for a brunch in
Lahore and the launching ceremony of his new book.
The the function was attended by the following ambassadors: Mr.
Dafaa Alla El-Haj Ali Osman ( Sudan), Mr. Hussain Haridy( Egypt),
Mr. Abdul Elah Mohamed Hajar( Yemen), Mr. Kais Sobhi Al-Yaaqoobi(
Iraq), Dr. Riad Ismat( Syria), Mr. Mohamed Said Mohamed Al-Lawati(
Oman) , Mr. Ibrahim Alabid Mukhtar( Libya), Mr. Mohammed Rida El-Fassi
( Morocco) and Dr. Saleh Jawarneh( Jordan).
A special guest in the functions of the Arab envoys was the Cuban
Ambassador Mr. Gustavo Machin Gomes who is very popular among Arab
diplomatic corps.
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