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We don't lecture on democracy: PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Wednesday said democratic system, protected by Constitution is the best system to ensure progress and prosperity of the country, welfare of the masses and to serve the people in a legal way.
Addressing a function here at Prime Minister Secretariat, to regularize the contract employees of National Highway Authority, the Prime Minister said, "Democracy is the only solution to all problems of the people and it is the only way to ensure peace, progress and prosperity of the country through constitutional way."
The Prime Minister said no one can claim to be a true representative of the masses as election is the only process to determine the real representatives of the people of Pakistan.
"Everyone has the right to participate in the election process and it is the power of the masses who will determine who will be their real representative," he added.
The Prime Minister said democratic process is only controlled by the Constitution and the elected parliament is custodian of this process.
Without naming anyone, the Prime Minister said, "We do not need lecture on democracy as the PPP is the only political party that has rendered sacrifices for democracy."
He said those who are giving lecture on democracy and reforms, should prove their worth, what had they done for democracy in the past in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that it was the credit of the PPP that its leaders Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave the right of vote tothe people and started the democratic process in the country.
He said it was also the contribution of the PPP that the present elected government following 2008 elections restored real democracy in the country after a nine year long dictatorship.
The Prime Minister said despite fragile democracy that was facing challenges in 2008, the parliament was successfully completing its full tenure and had taken a number of steps for the welfare of the people and progress of the country.
The elections are very near, every one has the right to contest these polls and judge their popularity and whosoever will be given the mandate from the people would have the right to be real representative of the people and rule the country.
He said elections are the only way to decide who had the mandate of the people and every one should adopt this method.
He said the parliament was completing its tenure for the first time in the history of the country and the democratic system would become a strong institution and no one can damage it.
He said, "Non-democratic and unconstitutional governments have no respect at global level."
The Prime Minister said if there is any need to rectify any error, even then elections and the democracy is the only way to do so.
He said the PPP government is in power because it got votes in the elections and then got support from its allies, therefore, it was able to form the government through democratic manner, which is the real and right way.
The Prime Minister said some elements did not believe in this democratic system, but if they had any other proposal, it can be implemented through election process as there is no other alternative to the election and democracy.
Referring to the achievements of the democratic government, the Prime Minister said despite challenges and exporting 2.6 million tonnes of wheat in 2008, the democratic government of the PPP with the support of its allies took bold decisions and made the country self-sufficient in wheat and even the country is able to export it.
He said under the policy of providing, generating and protecting jobs, the PPP reinstated 11,000 terminated employees and confirmed over 104,000 temporary and daily wage employees.
He also announced to confirm all the remaining temporary employees of National Highway Authority. (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv