News
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Democracy only solution to challenges, says Raja* PM says days of usurping rights of people have gone
* Holding of general elections in country will help stabilise democracy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Saturday said all stakeholders believed that solution of the problems facing the masses lies in strengthening democracy.
The PM said the days of usurping the rights of the people have gone and those who were still daydreaming had a serious problem with sense and proportion, and therefore have no relevance.
“Their political redundancy is inevitable,” the prime minister said. He said the current democratic era in the country was passing through an evolution and a degree of ups and downs were inevitable, but was optimistic that the system would get stable, with the passage of time.
He said holding of two to three general elections in the country would make a qualitative difference in stabilising democracy in Pakistan. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the political leadership of the country and said they would stand united if they foresaw any danger to democracy in the country.
He said further he would contact the political leadership of the country to solicit their views on matters of national importance at an appropriate time.
“All political leaders are pro-Pakistan and genuinely desire that the country should march on a trajectory of peace, prosperity and stability, under a strong democratic system,” the premier said.
To a question, the prime minister said he would not hesitate for a moment to consult the political leaders any issue of national importance.
He said the country’s politicians knew the “art of possible”, adding that the recent unanimous selection of the chief election commissioner was the physical manifestation of their acumen and commitment through democratic practices.
“Together we would overcome the challenges, with the same spirit, in future as well,” the premier said. Raja also said Pakistani politicians had learned from history and they were not going to repeat the same mistakes, come what may.
Terming political continuity of paramount importance, the prime minister said it was vital to achieve political stability in the country, as it would also generate desirable economic prosperity and social integration.
He said democracy in Pakistan was strong and stable, because the people of Pakistan were fully convinced that solution to all ills was in pursuing a strong democratic set up.
He said democracy was at the heart of ideological and intellectual foundations of Pakistan and the country’s history vindicates it beyond any shadow of doubt.
The prime minister said the edifice of democratic dispensation in Pakistan was fortified by a robust civil society, free media and assertive human rights organisations. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk