National Security Conference: CPNE resolves to defend democracy and Constitution

Calls for consensus among parties, institutions

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) has resolved to defend the supremacy of the Constitution and democracy and has called for developing consensus among all the political parties and institutions.

In a joint resolution passed in the ‘National Security Conference’ on Monday, the CPNE demanded full implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and appreciated sacrifices of all the people, armed forces and the tribal people in the war against terrorism.

It also demanded indiscriminate action against non-state actors, proxies and the outlawed organisations, which are a threat to national security. The resolution reiterated commitment to democratic rights and respect for peaceful protest.

However, it rejected all efforts to destabilise the democratic and constitutional structure. The resolution also asked for a transparent monitoring system, accountability without discrimination and implementation of the law of access to information.

Addressing the press conference, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said hijacking of the system through power will not be allowed. He said implementation of one’s agenda by use of power is fascism.

“If PTI Imran Khan succeeds in imposing his agenda by gathering a few thousand people on Nov 2, then no government will continue beyond six months in future,” he said, adding that PTI should wait for the decision of the Supreme Court, which is set to hear petitions on the Panama Papers on Nov 1.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said national unity could not be created by imposing decisions through force. “Political governments may have made mistakes but still it is better to wait for the elections when people will punish those who did not keep their promises,” he said.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman said the government was responsible for creating consensus in the nation. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said national unity cannot be created without establishing a justice system. He said he will not accept any change through unconstitutional methods.

The Muttahida Quami Movement’s Farooq Sattar demanded removal of unjust taxation system. He said Karachi should be given political ownership. Awami National Party’s Afrasiab Khattak put emphasis on establishing better relations with neighbours and on paying attention to the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

CPNE General Secretary Aijazul Haq said the purpose of the conference was to bring the political leadership on one platform. Senior journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami said though the performance of the democratic governments has not been exemplary, CPNE will resist any change through undemocratic means.

The conference was also addressed by CPNE President Zia Shahid, Vice-President Mehtab Khan Abbasi, Jamil Athar, Imtiaz Alam, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Nazir Jogezai and Ikram Sehgal. (TRANSLATION BY ARSHAD SHAHEEN)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2016.