'Democracy best type of government to resolve issues'

Associated Press of Pakistan

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf

on Tuesday said democracy is the best type of government and a strong democratic set up could resolve all the issues and ensure progress and prosperity in the country, Addressing a flag hoisting ceremony here at Convention Centre, in connection with 66th independence day the Prime Minister said, "The freedom movement is a best example of democratic and constitutional struggle which proved to nations of the world that democracy is embedded in blood of Muslims." He said democracy is the best type of government and all issues of Pakistan and existence of Pakistan are associated with it. Congratulating the Pakistanis living inside the country and abroad on the occasion of 66th Independence Day, the Prime Minister said on this day when Muslims of sub-continent under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam succeeded in achieving freedom and Pakistan emerged on map of the world as an independent and sovereign country. He said leaders like Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed undertook an exemplary struggle for restoration of democracy in Pakistan and to ensure rights of people and lighted the beacon of democracy by laying down their lives. "We are proud that in the last four years we made prominent achievements and with the grace and benevolence of Allah today roots of democracy are strong in Pakistan," he said. The Prime Minister said it will be not undue to give credit of the success to visionary leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari. He said this is a matter of satisfaction that the present democratic government achieved important milestones in political, social and economic progress of the dear country, which propped the national economy. Extending an offer of dialogue to all political parties for reconciliation and hold fair, free and impartial elections, the Prime Minister hoped that the political leaders by realizing national responsibility would cooperate with the government. He said opposition has an important role in any democratic system and the government has given importance to the positive role of opposition. The Prime Minister said for holding an impartial and transparent next general election, "we are taking the opposition into confidence, and for this we have taken a start from the consensus appointment of Chief Election Commissioner." He said, "We want an impartial and transparent election, so that transfer of power takes place in a democratic way, which would be a big success for the continuity of democracy in the country." He expressed the hope that all the political parties will fully participate in the next general elections and will play their role for the continuity of democracy. He said the government has accepted all the criticism with patience, because it does not believe in confrontation. "We are following the policy of reconciliation according to the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and our objective is to promote the environment of understanding and harmony in the country," he said. The Prime Minister said, "We want that the opposition, instead of criticizing the government, come up with positive suggestions through constructive approach, so that the process of development can continue in the country." He said the government believes in useful dialogue with the opposition on all issues of national importance including the formation of a care-taker government, so that important national issues are resolved through consensus, democratic values and mutual understanding are promoted in the country, and the supremacy of democracy is ensured.