News
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Democracy strengthened with completion of govt’s tenure: PM* Raja says judiciary, armed forces, political forces agree that country needs no other system except democracy g Judiciary and media fully independent today
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday said that with the completion of the tenure of the present government, democracy has been strengthened and all stakeholders have agreed to extend full support to the democratic system.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of Gujar Khan Bar Association at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the prime minister said, “Democracy has been strengthened and its plant has been converting into a strong tree with the completion of five-year term of the present democratically elected parliament.” There is consensus among the judiciary, armed forces and all the political forces that no other system but democracy is imperative for this country.
Raja said if all the institutions work in their constitutional framework there will be no problems and the country would make progress. He said that in the past democratic setup was damaged by outside forces, and the country had to face the consequences. Raja said all the forces have agreed that there is no alternative to democracy, and people will elect their representatives in the next general elections to continue the democratic process in the country. The prime minister said that with a strong democratic setup and completion of the tenure of the democratically elected parliament for the first time in 65-year history of the country, it has been recognised that the affairs of the country could be run only through a democratic system. He said despite some difficulties, the completion of the tenure of democratic setup will usher in a new era in the country.
The prime minister said the Pakistan People’s Party has rendered matchless sacrifices for the establishment of democracy in the country. Appreciating the role played by the lawyers for restoration of democracy, Raja said today the judiciary and the media are fully independent. He said lawyers who are educated, conscious and talented are the role model for the people.
Referring to challenges faced by the PPP government, he said, “We introduced politics of patience, tolerance and reconciliation which has started paying dividends.” The prime minister said that despite ups and downs, in the last four and half years the PPP government continued on the path of reconciliation, which was the vision of Benazir Bhutto who always said that reconciliation policy is the best way to face all challenges.
“We formed coalition governments in the Centre and even in the provinces and took all the parties along after the 2008 elections,” the prime minister said. He added that the present government ensured food security and made the country a wheat-exporting nation. He noted that when the present government took over in 2008, there was shortage of wheat in the country.
Raja said the foreign exchange reserves are also in a stable position today. Referring to the efforts to fight extremism and terrorism threats to the country, the prime minister said, “We also pushed the terrorists back.” He promised to extend full support and cooperation in the completion of chambers of the lawyers at Gujar Khan Bar. He also assured the members of the Gujar Khan Bar Association that computers will be provided to the bar as promised by him. Earlier, Law Minister Farooq H Naek administered the oath to the newly elected office-bearers of the Gujar Khan Bar Association. Prime Minister Raja also directed the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) to submit a feasibility report for establishment of an Industrial Park in Gujar Khan to encourage information technology industry in the country. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk