Independent media, judiciary, parliament fruits of democracy: PM

Wednesday, 11 July 2012 00:22

Posted by Shoaib-ur-Rehman Siddiqui

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Tuesday said independent media, judiciary and parliament are the fruits of democratic system in the country.

"It's a matter of great pride that Pakistan has independent judiciary, an independent media, and democratically elected parliament and basic rights of the middle class people are the dividends of democracy," the Prime Minister said while addressing APP regularization certificate distribution ceremony to distribute letters among the contract and daily wages employees of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), here  at the Prime Minister Secretariat.

The Prime Minister said the coalition government led by Pakistan Peoples Party has strong roots in the masses and taking effective steps for the progress, prosperity and welfare of the people.

He said when there is no democracy, there is no independent judiciary and independent media.

The Prime Minister said the dictators damaged the freedom and independence of judiciary and democracy.

He said the coalition partners with the support of the masses had been carrying forward the mission and philosophy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and empowering the people especially belonging to middle and lower middle class as they are the real strength of the democratic process.

Referring to regularization of the contractual employees, the Prime Minister said all had been regularized without any political discrimination.

He said the credit goes to Pakistan Peoples Party for taking practical steps for the reinstatement of politically sacked employees and regularized the contractual employees without any discrimination to which party they belong.

Referring to the policy of reconciliation adopted by the present government in the guidelines of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister said selection of Fakhuruddin G. Ibrahim as consensus candidate for the slot of Chief Election Commissioner indicated that consensus could be developed with sincerity and dedication.

He said the government is not against the Supreme Court and added that government has full respect and honour for the Supreme Court.

The Prime Minister urged the opposition to come forward and discuss things with the government to reach consensus on different issues so that the country could make more progress.