Independence Day pledges: Parliament will not be silenced, vows president
In an apparent reference to an assertive judiciary, the president has vowed that parliament’s voice will not be silenced by ‘new forms of assault.’
“Parliament is the voice of the people. Their voice cannot be silenced. It will not be,” he asserted, addressing a special ceremony at the Presidency to mark the 65th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence on Monday.
While promising to defend democracy in the country, President Asif Ali Zardari also announced a step to further its roots – through a system of local governance in Pakistan’s no-man’s land, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), which has long been ruled by draconian and authoritarian system. President Zardari said that laws will be passed later this year to give Fata a local government system – which, he said, will be implemented in accordance with the wishes, customs and traditions of its people.
Congratulating the nation on Independence Day, President Zardari said: “We owe it to the people and to the peace and stability of the country, and the region, to bring these areas into the mainstream of national life.”
Presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the introduction of a local government system in the tribal areas will be gradual and the provision had been incorporated in a draft regulation. Last year on the eve of Independence Day, President Zardari had signed amendments to the century-old draconian law, the Frontier Crimes Regulation. The amendments gave the people of Fata the right of appeal against decisions of the political agent for the first time. The president had also signed the Extension of the Political Parties Order, 2002, which allowed political parties to operate freely in the tribal areas.
The president also struck a sombre note. He said that it was ‘natural’ to celebrate independence, but asked the nation to pause and ponder over whether the country has moved towards or away from the ideals for which it was created. “Our founding fathers saw Pakistan as a country where democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme. It was envisaged to be a country where ballot would determine the political choices of the people,” the president said.
Stressing on the incumbent government’s pursuit to complete its full-term in office, the president said that Independence Day this year was of special significance as it was not only taking place in the month of Ramazan, but was also being celebrated at a time when a democratically-elected government was about to complete its mandated term in office. “This is a historic milestone. It augurs well for democracy and democratic traditions in the country,” Zardari said.
Asking the nation to rededicate itself to the democratic ideals and principles of Quaid-e-Azam, the president said all forms of bigotry, extremism and militancy must be banished from the country. The president said that militancy posed the greatest threat to the country, adding that defeating the militant mindset was one of the great challenges. “For this, we must defend democracy and promote tolerance, discussion and debate,” the president said.
In his closing statements, the president urged the nation to seize the opportunities to make Pakistan more prosperous and stronger.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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am ajaib bhatti i like to remove this all the alaince also plm n from punjab there had this troys country repotion and values you can see the gas+electric pia railways unemploys there play the game with public and country there take all the mony out of country there are bigist liar there are thiefs also there are murderers there are big mafias all partys tham pppp anp mqm q leages n leages there are so many non educated there got no 2 digres there are cant repersents country there dont wanted justice sistam there totaly carrupt every one on high level we want to have new elacation so plus part of this (pk) mida totaly use less they all ways now who is right and krong but there keep dis cas same point day and night also there scared from mna and leaders because there put bones on tham mouths we have midia bigist promblam
Yaawwnnnnnnn !!!!!!!!
@Ali: All those whose minds are grounded in Kingdoms and Caliphet will never understad the modern concept of democracy. Do not waste your time.
Happy Independence day my country fellows.Lets pray that we get rid of PPPP and its collation partners forever.
Even half truth is a lie, Mr. President.
First, is there a Presidential form of Government or Parliamentary one. Secondary, whether Parliament be allowed to pass a Bill in favour of corruption for every body, Thirdly, whether representative of 180.00 (M) unfortunate People of Pakistan be granted a permission to pass any sort of bill against the integrity, solidarity & Unity of Pakistan. Fourthly, is there no need of check & balance.
"Parliament is the voice of the people"
Truth is parliament is the bunch of thugs and criminals from feudal backgrounds who are anything but honest, competent, and educated technocrats. People of pakistan didn't elect them, corrupt district buearucrats did. So stop lying to people of Pakistan
No body is silencing the Parliament. What will any one get even if this Rubber stamp parliament is silenced. See the eyes and face of the President. They do not support each other. This is called hypocrisy.
I haven't read a single line. Not worth reading what all this man says.
It is about time the concept of states within the state be discarded in favor of democracy and Pakistani constitution. All colonial laws must be abolished ASAP.
Better than CJ!!
No body is silencing the Parliament but if the rubber stamp legislatives passes laws without realizing the consequences of such laws for the long run and if these laws are repugnant to the Constitution then the Supreme Court has the duty to scrap it or send it back for revision. When laws are passed by the tyranny of the majority to protect a few corrupt State Employees, so what should the Supreme Court do, look the other way and let the corruption prevail. Just wait till next election and find out how much the nation loves you people in the Parliament. So get off your high horse and stop accusing the Supreme Court for your short comings.
Dear Mr. President: The roots of most of the problems Pakistan is facing today (including the economic & political crises and religious intolerance) are inherently constitutional. Thanks to our Father of the Nation’s foresight, a comprehensive solution of these problems fortunately still exists! The unique solution lies in including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s August 11, 1947 Presidential Address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan as “Quaid-e-Azam’s Vision of Pakistan” in the constitution before its preamble. Embedding Quaid-e-Azam’s progressive vision into the constitution as articulated through his words of wisdom is bound to have a profound impact on our national destiny, as it will modernize our national psyche and humanize the state by forcing it to solely concentrate on the well-being of its citizens regardless of their creed or ethnicity. This masterful stroke will establish the Federal Legislature of Pakistan as its “full and complete sovereign body” as Quaid-e-Azam clearly spelled out in his address; and will eventually undo all the wrongs inflicted upon the constitution since as far back as 1973-74. Above all, it will provide the people with the legal framework and moral foundation badly needed to combat the institutionalized bigotry rampant in our state. Quaid-e-Azam’s address must be enshrined in the constitution, as it is the only hope left for Pakistan to function as a nation-state in the 21st century and beyond. Quaid-e-Azam’s stature and the parliamentary majority offer the present government the unique opportunity to achieve this breakthrough now that shall uplift the generations of Pakistanis alive and yet to be born. The government must feel the burden of history and seize the day.
“Our founding fathers saw Pakistan as a country where democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme. It was envisaged to be a country where ballot would determine the political choices of the people,” the president said.
What kind of Law Rules r u talking about ?? Just Amazed