'No institution can derail democracy'

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party senior leader Dr Babar Awan has said that no institution could derail democracy in the country.

Addressing office-bearers of Shakargarh Bar Association at State Guest House on Saturday morning, he said Sub-Article 2 of Article 6, inserted in the Constitution when he was law minister, protected the democracy from any unconstitutional act.

He said lawyers would play their role if any one tried to derail democracy, adding that secret doors had been closed and only the door of election was open for coming to power.

He said people would not allow any unconstitutional government, added only a constitutional government could function in the country now.

He said some people, who remained silent and mum during dictatorship, were trying to target parliament, which was now very strong and functional.

He said the PPP had protected rights of people for the last four years and expressed the determination that it would play a positive role in ensuring people's rights in future as well.

He said the PPP wanted to restore the confidence of the people in elections and the democratic process, and added the PPP would never allow any body to ambush democracy.

He reposed confidence in all national institutions and said no government employee could participate in politics adding one should resign and wait for two years if he wanted to enter politics.

Babar said PPP leaders and workers were always ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation. He said the President was a symbol of the Federation and the people had deep regard and respect for him.

Later, he directed Federal Law Secretary Masood Ahmad Chishti to give a cheque of Rs 2 million to the Bar.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011