Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Zardari calls for adherence to Quaid’s principles

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari has called upon the people to tread in the footsteps of Quaid-i-Azam by adhering to the principles of democracy and constitutionalism and respect for ballot instead of bullet in deciding upon political issues.
He stated this in his message on the 65th death anniversary of the Father of the Nation Quaid-i- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah falling on Wednesday (today).
He said the Quaid envisioned Pakistan to be a country where there would be democracy, respect for the ballot, emancipation of women and economic opportunities for all.
Unfortunately today these fundamental values are threatened by the militants and extremists far more menacingly than ever before.
“On this Quaid day let us pledge to defeat the militant mindset and to not permit the extremists destroy our basic values”, the former President said.
The best way to defeat the extremist mindset that is seeking to impose a political agenda on the people through bullet is to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions on one hand and promote egalitarianism in the country on the other, he said.
The former president said peaceful democratic transition for the first time in nation’s history had raised the hopes of democracy taking roots but cautioned that much more needed to be done.
He also paid homage to those who laid down their lives and rendered huge sacrifices for the achievement of Pakistan as well for preserving democracy and constitutionalism in fighting militants.
“They are our national heroes and heroines and we must honour them by upholding the torch of freedom and egalitarianism,” he added.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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