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Zardari says democracy faces new threat
ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Zardari on Sunday cautioned the people against a new form of threat to democracy namely assault on it in the name of democracy itself. In a message on the eve of International Democracy Day, the Pakistan People’s Party leader said that democracy was much more than merely holding elections periodically to distribute political power among parties and individuals. Constitutionalism, rule of law and tolerance to dissent and disagreement were essential ingredients of a democratic culture, he said. The enemies of democracy keep changing guise and tactics.
From direct assault on democracy witnessed in the past to the doctrine of necessity to the so-called legal framework order and provisional constitutional orders (PCOs) democracy today was threatened by intolerance on one hand and assault on it in the name of democracy, on the other. There is also a great threat to democracy from the militant mindset seeking to impose their agenda, he said. He said that democracy also called for state institutions to work strictly within their constitutional domain and no state organ was allowed to trespass the jurisdiction of another state organ, he said. Not long ago there was a perception that some state organs actually trespassed the domain of parliament, he said, adding, “Such perceptions must not be allowed to gain strength.” “Democracy Day this year is dedicated to the youth. As the largest segment of the society the youth represent the hope and the promise of Pakistan. We need to engage the youth for the fulfillment of democratic ideals and dreams,” he said. Congratulating the democratic forces in the world in general and in Pakistan in particular on the day, he hoped that the celebrations would enhance the awareness of people of Pakistan to the new forms of threats to democracy and guard against them. Zardari also paid tributes to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and countless political leaders and workers belonging to different political parties who rendered sacrifices for democracy. If dictatorship has not been able to take roots in Pakistan it is because of the huge sacrifices of all democracy loving people,” he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk