Country’s strength depends on strong economy, defence and leadership: Musharraf

ISLAMABAD : President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said strength of a country depends on its economy, defence, human resource and management skills of its leadership and any weakness in this respect may weaken the country. Speaking here at the second convocation of the National Defence University, the President, who is also the Chancellor spoke about the role of governments for the progress and prosperity of their countries.
Addressing the graduates, including a large number from foreign countries, the President said the governments in general need to ensure defence, welfare and security from internal and external threats.
The President said stability and progressive economic growth were vital to ensure progress and development of a state. He said if the economy of a country was not stable or rising, it could not achieve its desired objectives of development and progress.
The President said every government must focus on development of communication, intra connectivity within the country and with the regional countries, projects for water, energy, telecommunication, industry and agriculture.
He said due attention should be given to the welfare and well being of the masses through poverty alleviation, employment generation and enhancing the quality of human resources through health, education and skill development.
President Musharraf said it was ultimately the leadership of a country that has to manage its affairs. “Mismanagement and lack of potential of a leadership can lead to weakening of a country,” the President said.
He said democracy, human rights and freedom of media must ensure that the governments take their respective countries forward.
President Musharraf recalled the days when he attended the National Defence College and said over the years the institution has carved a place for itself in national and international institutions.
He said the presence of a large number of students from different countries was a testimony to this fact and said the venue provided an opportunity for interaction and understanding of different environments in which they live.
The President hoped that the foreign students would also understand Pakistan’s environment and the compulsions under which it exists. The President also conferred degrees of Masters of Science in Defence and Strategic Studies, and War Studies and Defence Management and BS (Honours).
President NDU Lt Gen Mohammad Hamid Khan said the institution’s mission was to prepare future leadership from public and private sectors of Pakistan and other friendly countries through multi-disciplinary educational and research programs.
He said the focus was on security, defence and strategic studies. He said that the institution has run seven workshops on National Security Issues apart from its normal courses and a total of 405 participants have qualified.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed, foreign diplomats and senior civil and military officials attended the convocation.