ISLAMABAD - Felicitating the nation on the occasion of the 68th Independence Day, Co-Chairman Pakistan People's Party Asif Ali Zardari warned the people to be watchful against looming dangers to democracy in the country.
"Let us resolve that we will neither allow the constitution to be subverted nor the democratic process derailed. Let us rededicate ourselves to the democratic ideals and principles for which Pakistan was created. Let us also reject those who exploit and misuse the name of religion for advancing their personal political agendas," said former President Zardari in his message on the eve of Independence Day.
"On this occasion we need to be watchful against the sinister machinations of the enemies of democracy who seem to have suddenly and mysteriously become active again. The actors and self-proclaimed saviours of the people who have occasionally been rearing their ugly heads have only one object in mind namely to wind up democracy. It is not new and the nation has witnessed it before too. While changing guise, pretexts and diction from time to time, these elements have always sought to push their undemocratic agenda," he added.
He said he wishes to facilitate the people of Pakistan whether living within the country or abroad. "The Independence Day is an occasion to celebrate and rededicate ourselves to the principles for which our nation was founded 67 years ago. However, these celebrations have also been clouded by looming threats to those pristine principles on which our nationhood was founded."
He said, "Let us on this occasion resolve to squarely face the enemies of democracy and not let them derail the democratic institutions of the state. Let us resolve to collectively protect and defend democracy.”
Bilawal’s message: PPP Patron-in-Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan was attained through the relentless and unwavering struggle of statesmen like Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Leaders like Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who lived and died to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the people carried the torch of democracy.
The restoration of democracy was the first step on Pakistan's road to recovery, however, a lot more still needs to be done.
“The present government should come up with a proper strategy to deal with the crisis instead of fleecing the people,” he stated.