‘Political parties are just ingredients of democracy’

Role of Sindh in democracy of Pakistan was discussed in length during last day of festival

KARACHI: The people of Sindh should not expect perfection in terms of competing against ruling parties of Sindh, said Qaumi Awami Tehreek President Ayaz Latif Palijo. He added that people need to consider an alternative if they think ruling parties have not delivered rather than waiting for the next 3,000 years.
Palijo said this during a session, titled 'The Role of Sindh in Democracy of Pakistan,' during the final day of the second Sindh Literature Festival on Sunday, which was moderated by journalist Dr Ayoub Shaikh. "Civil society is responsible for continuously giving chances to the same political party and failing to make voters of Sindh see reality," Palijo said, while answering a question regarding the general elections.



Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Hasil Bizenjo remarked that only education could give refuge to the people of Sindh and Balochistan. He quoted Napoleon Bonaparte as saying, "Give me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilised and an educated nation."
He said, "We only come across the type of democracy which prevails in Pakistan when power lies somewhere else rather than Parliament."
Pakistan of Muslim League - Nawaz leader Shah Mohammad Shah and other speakers were of the view that establishment never let democratic systems mature.



"In recent times, the role of the middle class has grown," said Awami Jamhoori Party President Amanullah Shaikh. He added that democratic norms must be upheld to achieve a mature democratic system. He said that people need to create resistance against non-political forces and politicians who side with them.
"Democracy does not get endangered when political leaders get charged," Palijo said. He added that political parties are just the ingredients of democracy.
"Nawaz Sharif is being punished because he wants to create good relations with neighbouring countries," claimed Shah. He added that it is time to decide whether democratic forces or non-democratic forces prevail in the country.



"A number of alliances have been made before the general elections in Sindh but not a single one has borne fruit," he claimed. The people of Sindh have to have trust them and continue to fight for their democratic and political rights, he said.
"Non-parliamentry actors have harmed Balochistan. Our party never favored insurgency imitated by Akbar Bugti," said Bizenjo, while commenting on the recent wave of insurgency in Balochistan. He added that his party is the only one which has confronted militants, not for their own interests or for the army's sake or establishment, but for the people of Balochistan. "The militant movement is on the wrong path," he stated.