Ultimately, leadership is about the strength of one's convictions, the ability to endure the punches, and the energy to promote an idea. And I have found that those who do achieve peace never acquiesce to obstacles, especially those constructed of bigotry, intolerance, and inflexible tradition.

I seek to lead a democratic Pakistan which is free from the yoke of military dictatorship and that will cease to be a haven, the very petri dish of international terrorism.

Military hardliners called me a 'security threat' for promoting peace in South Asia and for supporting a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

Whatever my aims and agendas were, I never asked for power.

A political war can be fought from anywhere.

What is important is that a political party articulates the mood of a generation.

Through democracy we can address the basic needs of the people, involve them as participants in planning and restore the authority of the government.