Doha Summit: President Zardari calls for poverty eradication, social integration based on equality

Doha (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the urgent need to build a world founded on equality, solidarity and respect for human rights.

Speaking at the World Summit for Social Development in Qatar’s capital Doha on Tuesday, he called upon nations to unite in eliminating poverty in all its forms and to promote comprehensive, productive, and dignified employment for all people.

President Zardari emphasized that international organizations must evolve to become more inclusive and responsive, particularly to the aspirations and challenges faced by countries of the Global South.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to human-centered progress, he said that the nation’s development vision is fully in line with the ideals reflected in the Doha Declaration.

The president noted that Pakistan’s flagship Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has provided vital assistance to more than nine million families, offering not only financial relief but also access to healthcare and education.

He added that this initiative has become a symbol of empowerment and transformation for countless households and stands as a model for social welfare around the world.

President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing efforts to raise the literacy rate to 90% and ensure that every child attends school.

He said that through the National Internship Program, the government is creating opportunities for the youth to build meaningful careers and contribute to national growth.

Turning to the issue of climate change, the president said Pakistan is heavily investing in resilient strategies to ensure that development remains environmentally sustainable, inclusive and enduring.

He warned of an emerging challenge in the form of water being used as a political weapon and expressed regret over violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. Such measures, he stated firmly, will not succeed in undermining Pakistan’s resolve.

President Zardari also called for the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian and Kashmir conflicts in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for global justice and lasting peace.