International Day of Democracy was celebrated across the world on Saturday where global leaders pledged to promote the democratic norms.
Pakistani politicians also gave special messages and opined that the democracy was still in its developing stage in the country.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari, in his message, said that all institutions must remain in their constitutional limits. “With the passage of time, the perils hovering over the democracy are changing as well. Instead of the attack of dictators on democracy, it got more fragile against the extremists,” the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman said.
Opposition Leader in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq said that the democracy has a long way to cover in Pakistan. He said, “Political forces are required to strengthen and ensure the supremacy of Parliament above all institutions which is still quite a challenge in third world countries. It is being said that Democracy is nurtured. However, people are still deprived of their basic rights to live.”
Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the intensification of democracy is conditioned with democratic attitudes of individuals. “Presence of parliament alone cannot guarantee the rule of people to its core. It is always the attitudes and perspectives that are required to be moulded in a society in accordance with the demands of democracy. Institutions play their part in strengthening the roots of democracy,” he added.
PTI leader Andaleeb Abbas argued, “On International Democracy Day, the real test is, has the majority of the country been served by the government? It is the masses whose condition determines the state of democracy. Let us pledge to make the majority of the people of Pakistan develop and prosper!”
