News
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Say no to confrontation
* Zardari tells parliament to learn from past mistakes and pursue reconciliation* Abrogation of constitution is high treason; court must not validate
such acts anymore* Upto parliament and government to devise an appropriate and wise policy for punishing those who suspended constitution
By Farooq Awan and Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday once again touted his much-hyped mantra of reconciliation as he used his record sixth-time address to the joint sitting of parliament to advise the political parties to learn from past mistakes and avoid confrontation.
“We need reconciliation and not confrontation to go forward. Let not democratic forces challenge one another. Democratic forces must come together and join ranks,” he told the lawmakers.
In the same breath, the president ‘cautioned’ that every pillar of the state must operate within its constitutional limits. “Let no organ of the state trespass into the domain of others. We can achieve a lot if we keep aside our prejudices and egos,” he said.
Calling for the need to set up a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” for strengthening democracy in the country, Zardari told parliament to ‘renew our commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law’.
“It is a cause for which Shaheed Benazir Bhutto dedicated her life ... It is a cause for which I spent 11 and a half years in prison ... It is a cause for which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif suffered imprisonment and exile ... Democracy has arrived,” the president remarked as he congratulated the newly elected prime minister amid hope that he would be able to rise to the expectations of the people who had voted him in.
President Zardari maintained that the suspension and abrogation of the constitution was an act of high treason. “Let no one think of subverting the constitution,” the president said and added that ‘no court should validate it’. “There is no place for dictators in today’s Pakistan.”
“Unfortunately its abrogation was endorsed by the pillars of the state. That must come to an end. There have been calls to punish those who subverted the constitution. It is for this august parliament and the government to devise an appropriate and wise policy,” he said and assured his support in this regard.
President Zardari praised the people of Pakistan for demonstrating courage and participating in the elections despite terror threats. “The people have spoken through their vote. Their voice has been heard and demonstrated by the smooth transition of power.” “The transition marks the fulfilment of a long struggle for democracy in the country and collectively our people have written a new chapter in Pakistan’s history,” the president added.
President listed militancy, extremism and terrorism the greatest threat to national security and said the nation is united against militancy. “We need strong leadership to overcome the threat, he added. Zardari said that we are ready to make peace with those willing to give up violence. But we should also be ready to use force against those who challenge the writ of the state.
The president demanded that the sovereignty of Pakistan must be protected at all costs and vowed that we will not allow anyone to violate our sovereignty, to an applause from the members, particularly from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who went for desk-thumping as the president stated it. The president declared that the government will not allow the use of our soil for terrorist activities against any other country.
He stressed for further strengthening interfaith harmony and urged the need to take measures to prevent use of blasphemy laws for settling personal and political scores. The president also spoke about the economic hardships. “Power shortage, rising militancy and extremism have compounded economic woes. We have to find solutions to our problems.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk