People's rights to be protected at any cost: Dr.Firdous

SIALKOT: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan on Wednesday said that the PPP-led government was striving to ensure socio-economic justice and protection of people's rights in the country and many a step had already been taken in this regard.

Addressing the Ulema, Religious Scholars and Journalists at a local hotel, she said that there was an immense need of changing the mindset of the masses to bring radical changes in the society and concerted efforts in this regard were direly needed.

She said the changing of attitude of the people had become more imperative for weeding out certain social evils and disparities for developing a healthy society based on tolerance and reverence.

A large number of people were deprived of their due rights while a privileged class was enjoying all facilities in the society, she added.

Criticizing the Punjab government, the minister said that so-called champions of democracy were using TMA funds and the government machinery being used ruthlessly in Azad Kashmir elections in various parts of Sialkot district. The so-called leaders, capitalists and industrialists are confronting with a threat of people's power and utilizing huge amount on election campaign in the district, she said. The Minister urged the people that they should forge a complete unity among their ranks to get rid of political jugglers and to bury the politics of hatred forever.

The political jugglers were indulged in looting and misusing public funds for their personal gains and huge amount was being spent on hoardings and flexes and election meetings, she added.

Dr.Firdous regretted that public representatives in the past got approach to AJK assembly on 'Baradrism' basis but they did not honour mandate of voters and they also failed to resolve the problems of the refugees settled in various parts of the district. PPP government believes in democracy and making strenuous efforts for strengthening the democracy and democratic institutions in the country, she said.

"We believe in politics of decency and hate politics of hooliganism in the larger national interests and democracy," she said. Dr. Firdous said that necessary arrangements had been finalized for holding fast approaching Azad Kashmir elections in a transparent manner.

On this occasion, Ulema and religious scholars belonging to different schools of thought assured their full support to PPP candidates contesting in Sialkot district.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011