AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, September 15, 2012 (PPI-OT): Pakistan joins the world community in celebrating the International Day of Democracy being observed around the world today under the aegis of the United Nations. The day reminds us of the heroic struggle and huge sacrifices rendered by the people, political parties and the leaders for cause of democracy and representative rule. On this day, we eulogize their services and pay glowing tributes to them for their contributions.
This year’s theme i.e. ‘Democracy education’ is most pertinent as well as central to our shared quest for consolidation of democracy as a preferred system of governance. Democracy is all about participation of the people. It represents the expression of a free will to shape their social, political, economic systems in accordance with their collective aspirations.
The promotion of democracy education will certainly be instrumental in empowering the citizens by informing them of their rights and responsibilities in a free society. It is also essential for them to understand their place in a society in influencing the public policy as well as the political parties to formulate policies in the larger interests of the electorate.
There is no gainsaying the fact that an informed citizenry is a guarantee for the long-term success of democracy. As people increasingly understand the value of vote as agent of change, they make informed choices at the polls in electing their representatives.
For Pakistan, which is heading towards general elections in 2013 after a successful completion of tenure of the democratic government, the importance of democracy education cannot over emphasized. I believe that it is a shared responsibility of political parties, media, and civil society organizations at large to get actively involved in campaigns for promotion of democracy education
I am proud to belong to a political party, Pakistan People’s Party, which has been at the forefront of struggle for revival of democracy in Pakistan and has not shied away from rendering sacrifices for this sacred cause.
It is the only party whose leaders, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto chronicled glorious chapter in the annals of history by sacrificing their lives for the cause of democracy. It is the only party whose workers braved the persecution of dictatorial regimes but remained steadfast in their resolve.
They courageously faced the rigours of imprisonment, public lashings and exiles but did not give in to the dictatorial diktats. When history of democracy in Pakistan gets written, the name of PPP, its brave leadership and fearless workers will shine out prominently.
Inspired by the policy of reconciliation originally espoused by Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto, the PPP-led government, under the inspiring leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, has put the country back on democratic rails in a period of four and half years. During its stay in office, the present government undertook some remarkable initiatives such as 18th, ,19th and 20th Constitutional Amendments, 7th NFC Award, restoration of original character of the Constitution 1973, political ownership of war on terror, BISP, Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, Reforms in FCR and extension of Political Parties Act in FATA, and Aagaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan to name only a few.
These initiatives have made a fundamental difference to the way the country is to be governed as per public mandate besides strengthening the federating units. These initiatives have the laid the foundation for a strong and stable Pakistan.
The beauty of democracy is that it finds homegrown solutions to the complex problems bedeviling the polity. It encourages participation of citizens, who are the real stakeholder, in taking charge of their lives.
The public participation and ownership of state policies is the bedrock of democracy. Democracy is underpinned by the principle of consensus within diverse sets of opinion. Hence, it creates unity in diversity and diversity in unity in a linguistically, ethnically and sub-culturally broad context.
As Pakistan transitions to next phase of democracy, it is about time that we renewed our pledge to safeguard democracy as it represents the way forward for the country. The best way to honour the memory of those who laid down their lives for the cause of democracy is to ensure that democratic system continues to function and forms the basis of people’s welfare.
Long live democracy!
Long live Pakistan!
For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com