Three years ago, when Pakistan People's Party formed the Government with its coalition partners, the country was facing numerous and the most severe challenges of its history.
Some elements within our society never wanted the country to be free of extremism and to emerge as a peaceful and progressive state, the same elements who assassinated our great leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, because they could not face Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the political arena. Their thinking was that without Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto the state of Pakistan will crumble, with warlords occupying every nook and corner. Very few had thought that after 27th December 2007, the Pakistan People's Party will emerge as victorious as ever.
Those efforts of breaking the country apart went all in vain thanks to the vision and exemplary leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, who with his slogan of "Pakistan Khappay" took the country forward towards elections, and the Pakistan People's Party along with our coalition partners got the opportunity to form a democratic Government.
The Pakistan People's Party came to power with a mission, that same mission which Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and her great father Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had lived and laid their lives for. The topmost priority for this Democratic Government naturally was to fulfil its promises, clearly mentioned in the party manifesto. From day one, up until now, we are working in line with the vision and mission the Pakistan People's Party stands for.
Today, the flag of Pakistan flutters proudly high upon the peaks of Waziristan and Swat. The fire lit by the terrorists has been contained and is in the process of being totally extinguished.
Pakistan People's Party believes on the freedom of expression. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had introduced the board for the rights of journalists in year 1973. In 1988, our leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto gave the most imaginable freedom to the media. On 9th March 2010 the President Mr Asif Ali Zardari while addressing the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) said "active and resourceful media, helps democracy in the country". The present Government has done away with the dark laws of (PEMRA). A Fund has been established to support the families of media persons who have died in the line of their duty. In same spirit, the Government has initiated the establishment of Benazir Bhutto Media University, in Islamabad. Today the print & electronic media is free. Not a single journalist is in prison.
The present Government has increased the salaries of Government Employees by up to 50% in spite of the countless challenges and financial difficulties. The dark law of the IRO has been done away with. In same way, the record increases in the pension of retirees speaks volumes of our commitment to the cause of employees and workers.
Before the present Government, people used to protest for the restoration of judiciary but no one dared touch the barbed wires around the houses of our honourable judges. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani after being elected issued the 1st order to release the Judges. The barbed wires were removed within 5 minutes. There are many more achievements any observer can highlight. And of course, the people of Pakistan know how committed their Government is to their cause, reason why in spite of every difficulty they are patiently supporting their government.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting
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