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AMID a lot of hefty challenges being faced by Pakistan – Asif Ali Zardari – has taken oath as the new President. He becomes the 12th President of the country – since the nation opted for the parliamentary form of governance – under the 1956 Constitution.

Earlier, the Head of State in Pakistan was identified as the Governor General – after Pakistan surfaced on the global Atlas – as a marvelous independent sovereign state – at the end of British rule in the sub-continent.

Soon after the oath taking ceremony – which took place at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad – in a magnificent and dignified manner – Mr. Zardari spoke to media and listed key points of his plans and priorities for ensuring robust peace, progress and prosperity in Pakistan.

Flanked by Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai – while pledging vistas of affluence for the people of Pakistan – he beamed aspiration for making Pak-Afghan ties – in addition to others – soothing and tranquil.

Yet, the plan by the new President for making China as his first destination for visits abroad – by all perceptions is significant.

By now, with a question mark – it is thought by all and sundry – that Pakistan has immense love and leaning for the West – explicitly for the United States.

The voyage to China – as and when it takes place – shall of-course be a crystal clear answer to this vision.

As, time and again – it has been rayed that Pakistan is currently passing through the most difficult period of its history. Not only that it is faced with the threats – posed by terrorism and extremism – the national economy is also bit by bit on decline, eventually surfacing tough dilemmas for the people – with the advent of every new sun-up.

To quote a few instances – swift hike in prices of daily use items, scarcity of edibles, unchecked scenario for hoarders and black-marketers, sudden rise in the cost of petrol and petroleum products [as every thing roams around wheel] as well as continuous electricity shut-down – has made the lives of the masses awfully miserable.

Simultaneously, the problems on the global horizons – specifically vis-à-vis some of its neighbors – are well known to every politician and egalitarian in Pakistan – whether one is in power or not.

Thus, we feel optimistic that – besides overcoming all types of problems at home – Mr. Zardari, as a seasoned politician shall evolve a strategy – whereby the true image of the lovely soils of Pakistan is got restored in the comity of nations and longed issues with Kashmir atop are got resolved – sans any compromise on nation’s globally recognized standpoint.

While congratulating Mr. Zardari to the apex office of the President – we wish and hope that the era of democracy which has now surfaced – shall prove as a pragmatic sigh of relief for the people of Pakistan – who desire to live in peace – the peace with bona fide dignity and honor – as its origin and helix.