Raisani urges political parties to unite, preserve democracy

Says reality of memo exposed after statement from General James Jones.

QUETTA: Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has urged all political parties to join their hands to and work to preserve the democratic rule of law in the country.

According to a statement issued on Monday, Nawab Aslam Raisani said that political forces should maintain unity and harmony among their ranks in order to foil conspiracies hatched against democracy. “All political parties should learn from mistakes they have committed in past and how democracy was derailed. It would create difficulties for Pakistan if democracy is again derailed,” he warned.

The Chief Minister also welcomed the return of President Asif Ali Zardari to the country and that his return had proved rumours wrong. “I pray for the good health of Mr President. The political parties should not become tool for toppling democratic government nor should they take part in such unconstitutional acts,” he said.

(Read: Facing the music: President Zardari returns under the cover of night)

Raisani said that the reality of the memo had been exposed following a statement issued by American General James Jones. “The Memogate was a conspiracy that meant to instigate confrontation between the Army and Civil Government but the elements behind this conspiracy have failed to achieve their goal,” he said.

(Read: Memogate: James Jones submits statement in Supreme Court)

He expressed his concern over the behaviour of some elements in absence of President, when, he claims, they were engaged in a propaganda campaign against the democratic government.

The Chief Minister urged the political parties to play their due role in strengthening democracy and protecting constitution of the Pakistan.

He said that the nation had already paid a heavy price for misadventures in the past, and the country was not in a position to witness another coup.