‘Threats to democracy’: PPP won’t let anyone impose agenda by force, says Asif Zardari
Ex-president in Lahore for Peoples Party foundation day ceremonies
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson and former president Asif Ali Zardari has said his party will not permit anyone to impose any ‘peculiar political or ideological agenda’ through brute force or under the pretext of religion or democracy.
“We reiterate that all power belongs to the people and they alone are empowered to bring about political change through ballot,” he said in a statement issued to media on Saturday at the occasion of the party’s 47th foundation day, which will be held on today (Sunday).
Zardari said his party is also conscious of threats to democracy in the name of democracy itself and is determined to foil them.
“While the threat of imposition of direct dictatorship may appear to have receded, we are not unmindful of the other forms of threats to democracy that rear their ugly heads from time to time. The PPP is aware of such threats and is ready to fight against them,” he said.
He paid homage to the PPP leaders and workers, who, according to him, made enormous sacrifices in the course of their historic struggle.
Meanwhile, Zardari reached Lahore on Saturday to attend the ceremonies to be held in connection with PPP’s foundation day. He will meet the PPP workers at Bilawal House, hold discussion with party leaders and also cut the party cake, said sources.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2014.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson and former president Asif Ali Zardari has said his party will not permit anyone to impose any ‘peculiar political or ideological agenda’ through brute force or under the pretext of religion or democracy.
“We reiterate that all power belongs to the people and they alone are empowered to bring about political change through ballot,” he said in a statement issued to media on Saturday at the occasion of the party’s 47th foundation day, which will be held on today (Sunday).
Zardari said his party is also conscious of threats to democracy in the name of democracy itself and is determined to foil them.
“While the threat of imposition of direct dictatorship may appear to have receded, we are not unmindful of the other forms of threats to democracy that rear their ugly heads from time to time. The PPP is aware of such threats and is ready to fight against them,” he said.
He paid homage to the PPP leaders and workers, who, according to him, made enormous sacrifices in the course of their historic struggle.
Meanwhile, Zardari reached Lahore on Saturday to attend the ceremonies to be held in connection with PPP’s foundation day. He will meet the PPP workers at Bilawal House, hold discussion with party leaders and also cut the party cake, said sources.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2014.