Democratic process: ‘Parliament, not the street, proper forum for politics’

It is imperative, Wattoo says, that national issues get precedence over party politics.

LAHORE:

Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo advised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf leaders on Monday to take their issues to the parliament. He said taking to the streets could threaten the continuity of democratic process.

Wattoo said allegations of electoral rigging levelled by the PTI could be debated in the parliament. He said street protests could trigger destabilisation, detrimental to the political system in the country.

He said the country faced several challenges, including threats to its security. It was imperative, he said, that national issues get precedence over party politics. He said the country was embroiled in extremism and terrorism, a serious law and order situation, price hike and unemployment. We must not do anything that aggravates the situation through a sharp political division, Wattoo said.

He said democracy was at a nascent stage in Pakistan and may not withstand the pressure generated by agitation.

Democratic gains may be lost if political leaders were consumed by rivalries, Wattoo said.

He said the PTI leaders should be aware of this. If any harm came to democracy as a result of its campaign, the PTI would not escape the blame.

Wattoo said the PPP too had had reservations about electoral results but had decided to accept the results in the interest of continuity of the democratic process.

He said PPP’s unwavering support for democracy would continue, as only democracy could make Pakistan strong, tolerant and prosperous.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2014.