News
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Democracy taking roots in country: president* Zardari calls upon political forces to further strengthen democracy and democratic institutions
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that smooth and peaceful transition of power from one democratic government to another reflects that democracy has gradually taken roots in the country.
Speaking to a group of former and incumbent parliamentarians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the president called upon all political forces to work together towards further strengthening democracy and democratic institutions.
The president said for the first time in the country’s history, an elected civilian president would be handing over charge to the next elected civilian president in a smooth and orderly manner. He termed it a great success of democracy and the democracy-loving people.
Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said the delegation from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, led by Anwar Saifullah Khan, paid rich tributes to President Zardari and the previous democratic government for its efforts to bring the people of the province into the mainstream of national life and removing their sense of deprivation.
“They thanked the president for his keen interest in giving identity to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by renaming the province,” Babar said.
The president told the delegation from Balochistan that the Pakistan People’s Party-led government had made serious efforts for the uplift of the province and addressed the grievances of the people of Balochistan.
Senator Sabir Ali Baloch appreciated the role of President Zardari and the previous government for strengthening democracy in the country and for various steps that had been taken for removing grievances and the sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan.
Members of the delegation appreciated the efforts of President Zardari for adopting the policy of tolerance and reconciliation, which they said had helped strengthened democracy and democratic institutions in the country.
The president said it was the policy of reconciliation, which strengthened democracy and made possible a smooth transfer of power from one elected government to other in a smooth and democratic way.
The president added, “All our efforts should be geared towards strengthening democracy and reiterated that in line with the vision of Benazir Bhutto, we will continue pursuing the policy of reconciliation for the sake of political stability and further cementing democracy in the country.”
Separately, National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and the Turkish ambassador also called on the president on Tuesday. appCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk