Democracy is the only solution, say political leaders

LHCBA holds event to discuss situation in the country

LAHORE: There is no room for martial law or non-political forces in the current set up and democracy is the only way to steer the country out of the prevailing crisis. This was the crux of views expressed at the All Parties Conference convened by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) to discuss the current political situation in the country.

According to a declaration issued at the event, political forces would not support any forces making efforts to derail democracy in the country.

Leaders from all major political parties, including ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamat-i-Islami, Pak Sar Zameen Party and MQM-Pakistan, were present on the occasion.

The conference aimed at devising a policy to counter anti-judiciary campaign launched by the PML-N and other political parties. The participants also condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to accept Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.



They also condemned the campaign launched by the ruling party against the superior judiciary and judges. They said that the future of democracy was under threat at present and all political parties have decided not to support any undemocratic step in the country. It is the sole prerogative of the parliament to rule the country. “However, at the same time, political parties should learn a lesson from their mistakes and restore people’s confidence in the political system and politicians,” the declaration added.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said the democratic process should continue despite all differences. He admitted his political party made mistakes, but the PML-N sacrificed a lot to strengthen democracy. The minister pointed out that the political differences were the jewel of democracy, but they should not be stretched to the extent to derail the process.

Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed said that it was important for democracy to stay alive in Pakistan. “The rulers have taken loans worth billions of rupees. In summers we get gas while we get electricity in winters. Investors are stealing electricity worth Rs200 billion from the country.”

The same people who were with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, sided with Musharraf, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and now they were ministers for PML-N, he claimed.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that free and fair election was a must for democracy to flourish in the country. “The goal of transparent polls cannot be achieved without setting up an independent election commission.”

Pak Sar Zameen Party head Mustafa Kamal said the present democratic system was not helping common people as their socioeconomic conditions were deteriorating with each passing day.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2017.