Renewed pledge: No alternative to democracy, says PM

Democracy is the voice of the nation and the people love it, says Ashraf.

CHAKWAL:

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf renewed a pledge on Saturday that the next general elections will be held on time because there “isn’t any alternative to democracy”.

“Democracy is the voice of the nation and the people love it,” the prime minister told a public gathering in Chakwal.

He said democracy will be further strengthened in the next five years and no-one will be able to derail or harm the democratic system.

Holding elections is a national obligation and the government will complete the electoral process on time, he said. The coalition government is going to complete its term in a few months, after which polls will be held, he added. Only those who can gain the support of the masses through ballot will rule the country, he said.

Referring to his ongoing dialogue with other political leaders, Ashraf said all the politicians were unanimous that the democratic process should continue in the country. He said at present all the state pillars, including media and judiciary, are supportive of democracy. The people enjoy democracy and no one can snatch this right from the masses, he added.

The prime minister said it was an honour for him that he was addressing a public meeting here on the birthday of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Ashraf said he was also proud to be a resident of Chakwal and now he was the prime minister with the blessings of the people. Only the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) can nominate a common worker as prime minister, he said.

According to him, Benazir Bhutto gave the message in 2008 elections that “We have to make Pakistan a strong country and take along all the forces to find the solution of all the problems.”

He said President Asif Ali Zardari continued this philosophy of Shaheed Mohtarhma Bhutto and the PPP patched together a coalition government, which was going to complete its five-year term with the support of its allies despite difficult circumstances.

He said politics has been strengthened and now no one will be able to damage the political system and this message is from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other party leaders. This message is also from all the coalition partners of government and political parties that the democratic process should continue, he added. He greeted the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League, who were present in the meeting, saying that united all the political parties would resolve the problems of the people.

Speaks Pothohari

Speaking in the local Pothohari language, the prime minister said he started many projects for the welfare of the people of Pothohar. “I am your brother, and assure you that the best road network will be laid down in the area.”

He said work on the development projects would be done at fast pace for the welfare of the people of Chakwal and other areas. He said he was aware of the problems of the area and assured the people that they would get gas supply without delay.

Earlier, the prime minister was presented a traditional turban when he arrived at the arena to address the meeting.

The prime minister inaugurated a number of development projects, including supply of Sui gas, Neela Interchange to connect the area with Motorway and construction and improvement of roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2013.