Conference of Asian Political Parties
Manila
September 17, 2000

Distinguished delegates:

I am privileged to visit Manila and address this distinguished audience at the historic first conference of Asian political leaders.

A tribute to the organizers, in particular former speaker Jose de Venecia, for inviting us to discuss the challenges of the twenty first century.

The leaders of leading Asian political parties, irrespective of political affiliations, meet this morning as Asians committed to the welfare of this great continent.

We reach out to create a culture of cooperation even as enormous changes sweep over our planet.

Many of us gave years of our lives battling dictatorship. I congratulate the Asian countries that have won that battle of freedom.

But freedom is still under assault in parts of Asia, including Burma and my own country Pakistan.

Winning freedom is the start of another journey—the journey for our people to lead a life, free from want and hunger, from slums and squalor. 
The promise of our tomorrows awaits fulfillment.

Globalization has placed us in a new political storm. Today Asia declares it’s readiness in facing the brave new world dominated by regional trading blocs.

Whilst the goal of an Asian parliament, an Asian trading currency and an Asian monetary fund appear a distant dream, this morning’s first step indicates our will to adjust to globalization forces dictating the pace of change.

Asia’s middle classes are groaning under the world of deregulation and free currency flows that move with ruthless speed bringing both fortune and failure in its wake.

With our response, we can meet the threat of a new superclass of marginalised underprivileged, unable to compete with modern ideas, technology and markets.

We can do this by identifying common institutions, laws and procedures enabling our nations to move forward in an Asian rhythm, benefiting from the New World Order.

Market forces demand a computer literate work force. Surely we have the will to prioritise our budgets to equip our people with new skills.

Investment runs from, and ruins economies based on the old paradigm---a paradigm built on geostrategic concerns held up by missiles and military might.

Today’s might is the might of markets. Influence flows from call of commerce and of capital markets.

We can see, from Philippine to Pakistan, that economies suffer, miseries increase and helplessness sets in where markets are threatened by bombs, wars, insurgencies, terrorism, corrupt practices and narcotics trade. 

Lets share building a new paradigm for Asia, beyond terror to safety. Let us light the path for Asians to compete successfully in creating wealth and prosperity.

Agricultural dominates many Asian societies. We can create a class of agricultural entrepreneurs by investing in the rural community even as our urban force benefits from the services sector, commerce and labout export.

There’s a hungry world out there, looking for software engineers and biogenetic scientists. Their training and export can lead to capital transfers and huge opportunities.

We need to move fast—for opportunity doesn’t knock twice.

But progress needs political parties that can promise political stability. Lack of proper funding undermines the ability of parties to combat the interests of an entrenched establishment.

State funding can assist parties in establishing secretariats, facilitating policy research, establishing media offices and contesting general elections.

Bribes offered to parliamentarians to switch sides is another problem. I faced it when my opponents moved a no confidence move funded by Muslim militants opposed to a woman in politics.

Open balloting makes cheating more difficult. And those who switch sides can be forced to resign. The president my party elected switched sides plunging Pakistan into a downward spiral on the rocky road of nuclear explosions, economic implosion and, finally, martial law.

Fanatics challenge stability too. They do it under the cloak of religion. In promoting interfaith dialogue, the chances of a clash of civilizations can be averted.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I come from a country rich in weapons of mass destruction—a country that nearly went to a nuclear war over the frozen wastelands of an area called Kargil. A country where bomb blasts ruin lives and desperate young men, commit suicide because they cannot afford to live.

It is unethical, when a regime is deaf, dumb and blind to the agonies of its own people. All of us, as Asians, can raise our voice when rules we set, in the ink of humanity, are violated.

We have done this in the United Nations. We can do it as an Asian association in this, the third millenium.

Picture the Asian woman, shorn of her most basic rights. Picture the Asian child, robbed of the innocence of childhood. Our women and children deserve better.

The irrevocable market forces can be compensated for by human conscience. 

Together we can raise our voices for compassion—a great human quality.

Asia can argue for debt relief.

I argue for debt relief tied to good governance. And for amounts saved to go into a special anti poverty program.

Away from the bright lights and the consumer world of Malls, Macdonald and Mercedez, we, that God blessed as the privileged, need to measure up by reaching out to that dark underworld where poverty, hunger and squalor stalk the lives of millions, nay billions, of Asians.

Distinguished delegates:

I come from a land of mystic saints who preached the message of love. I bring here that message of love and peace---for hatred is only born of fear.

A new future awaits us.

A future where computers have replaced combustion as the catalyst for change.

Where information has replaced ideology as the idiom of action.

It’s time for the sleeping Asian giant to awaken. 

Thank you, speaker de venecia and organizers of the conference, for setting the alarm clock by inviting us here to face up to the reality that:

“If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.”

Thank you, distinguished delegates. 

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