ISLAMABAD - Terming democracy panacea to all problems, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that their government had rendered matchless sacrifices for democracy and they knew it well how to protect the democratic order in the country.

Addressing a function here at Prime Minister’s Secretariat, to regularise the contract employees of National Highway Authority, the Prime Minister said, "democracy is the only solution to all problems of the people and it is the only way to ensure peace, progress and prosperity of the country through Constitutional way."  He said despite fragile democracy that was facing challenges in 2008, the Parliament was successfully completing its full tenure and had taken a number of steps for the welfare of the people and progress of the country.
"The elections are approaching fast and everbody has the right to contest elections and it would up to the people of Pakistan to give mandate to people whom they considered as their true representatives," and quickly added, "elections are the only way to decide who had the mandate of the people and every one should adopt this method.”
He said the Parliament was completing its tenure for the first time in the history of the country and the democratic system would become a strong institution and nobody can damage it.
He said, "non-democratic and unconstitutional governments have no respect at global level."
The Prime Minister said, "if there is any need to rectify any error, even then elections and the democracy is the only way to do so."
He said those delivering lecture on democracy should first prove their democratic credentials whether they rendered any sacrifice for democracy.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that the government has taken important decisions to pull the country out of crisis.
The Prime Minister said it is for the first time that a neutral and independent Election Commission has been established to ensure holding of free‚ fair and transparent elections.
Without naming anyone, he said, "We do not need lecture on democracy as the PPP is the only political party that has rendered sacrifices for democracy."
He said those who were giving lecture on democracy and reforms should prove their worth, what they had done for democracy in the past in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said that it was the credit of the PPP that its leaders Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave the right of vote to the people and started the democratic process in the country.
He said it was also the contribution of the PPP that the present elected government following 2008 elections restored real democracy in the country after a nine year long dictatorship.
The Prime Minister said some elements did not believe in this democratic system, but if they had any other proposal, it can be implemented through election process, as there is no other alternative to the election and democracy. He also announced to confirm all the remaining temporary employees of National Highway Authority.
Raja Pervaiz said that the PPP government faced the challenges of extremism and terrorism and assured full support to Pakistan Army in the war against terror.
He said the peace and security has been improved as compared to 2008 and it is better today than before.
Referring to the importance of roads network in the country, the Prime Minister said a better roads infrastructure was directly related to the development of the country.
He said government is committed to further improve the roads network so that there could be more progress and prosperity in the country.