Speakers for strong democratic institutions to safeguard political, economic, constitutional rights .
“We are committed to protecting the democracy and will strengthen the democratic institutions, rights of the common people including journalist, labourers, peasants, women and students,” Senate Chairman Rana Rabbani said while addressing an event at the National Press Club here on Friday. He asked them to get united to protect the democratic system.
The event, “Youm-e-Azm” (day of determination) was organised by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the NPC to recall the sacrifices of journalists for democracy and freedom of expression.
Four journalists — Nasir Zaidi, Iqbal Jaffri and Khawar Naeem Hashmi — were flogged during the military dictator Ziaul Haq’s era for protesting against the ban on free speech and expression.
“Strong democratic institutions will ensure the continuation of democracy, safeguard the political and constitutional rights of the people as well strengthen the federation,” Rabbani said.
He said ironically there is no rule of law; double standards were followed in implementing laws according to the social, political and economic status of the people.
He added that the common people including labourers were deprived of their fundamental rights of social justice and dignity.
Rabbani said that Gen Musharraf abrogated the constitution, involved the country in the imperialist war and damaged country’s interest but he has been exempted from facing the court of law and allowed to go abroad.
The outspoken Senate chairman acknowledged the journalists struggle against the dictatorial regimes and urged them to get united to protect the freedom of expression as well as fight for the basic constitutional rights of the people.
He urged journalists, politicians and people from all walks of life to get united and struggle for the stability of the democratic system.
“We must give priority to people’s interest not an individual’s or particular institution”, he said.
National Party President Senator Hasil Bizenjo called for sensitizing youth about the spirit of democracy and political right of the common men.
Senator Farhatullah Babar said that individual interest is supreme and societies are evolving through the role of the individual, adding that democracy is the only solution for the development and prosperity of the country.
Former Senator Afrasiab Khattak said that “also stressed on strengthening democratic institutions.
NPC president Shakeel Anjum, secretary general Imran Yaqoob Dhillon, journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir, and other also paid tributes to the journalists for rendering unmatched sacrifices for democracy.
Zaidi and Iqbal Jaffri shared their experiences and stressed the need for unity of journalists, working people, labourers and students to fight undemocratic, extremist forces.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2016.
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