Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman Friday said President-elect Barack Obama’s victory is inspiring for proponents of democracy and reinforces their firm belief in democracy’s power to bring about a definitive change in leadership and policy through genuine participatory processes.
In a statement issued here, she said the influence of the United States on shaping global ideas on politics and economics is a testament of American leadership and its vision.
“President-elect Obama’s campaign slogan for ‘change’ has created a new set of global expectations about the US, which will be a major challenge for its new administration,” she said.
The Minister said yet it also presents an opportunity for bringing about qualitative policy changes that can create enduring global peace and economic security.
She said Barack Obama’s victory is a triumph of multi-lateralism as an international order, adding that “by voting for Mr Obama, Americans have placed a seal of approval on an international order that puts primacy on engagement and dialogue for resolving global challenges.”
She observed that the 2008 polls have shown significant changes in the US voter preferences reflecting a keen focus on their future president’s vision for America’s role vis-a-vis the rest of the world.
“This sea change has dispelled the myth about the US as an inward looking nation,” she added.
She further said Vice President-Elect Joe Biden is the architect of the Biden-Lugar Legislation that commits development assistance of $ 15 billion for Pakistan over the next ten years.
“This non-military aid signals a major shift in the focus of US assistance for Pakistan,” the Minister said and added this reflects the newly elected US administration’s support for our country’s civilian democratic order, and an understanding of the necessity of building solid foundations for social and economic development of Pakistan.
Sherry Rehman pointed out that Obama’s election gives Pakistan the opportunity to re-energize its relations with its important international ally - the Untied States.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in their congratulatory messages to the President-elect have expressed their desire to set broader grounds for expanding Pakistan-US relations that incorporate stronger support structures to strengthen ties.
“We look forward to the opportunity of working with the new US administration that has positively reciprocated to our desire for a partnership that works for world peace and regional stability,” said the Minister.