Protecting democracy People’s power foiled Turkey coup bid, says Rashid

"The Turkish nation has set an example by foiling martial law attempt it is an act to be followed,” says minister

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday commended Turkey on becoming the first Muslim country to foil an attempted coup and said it was made possible due to democracy.

“Thwarting the military coup with the power of the masses is a good gesture for all Islamic countries and Turkey deserves congratulations for this,” he told state-run PTV. He praised the people of Turkey for thwarting the coup bid and protecting democracy. “The people of Turkey deserve congratulations from Muslim countries including Pakistan and all other countries of the world which support democracy.”

Rashid said democracy has delivered in Pakistan, adding that military regimes in the past had damaged the country immensely. “Democratic government gave the country its constitution which represents integrity and unity of the federation.”

He said it was a democratic government which took bold initiatives and played leading role to root out terrorism from the country. The minister added that the continuity of the democratic system was needed to strengthen democracy and foil attempts to impose martial law.

“The Turkish nation has set an example by foiling martial law attempt and it is an act to be liked and followed,” Rashid said. He added that every country has the right to devise foreign policy in its national interest.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2016.