July 5: a black day for democracy in Pakistan: Zardari

July 5 is a black day for democratic history of the country when a dictator overthrew an elected government and later executed the then Prime Minster, decimated the Constitution and destroyed state institutions.

This was stated by Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former President, Asif Ali Zardari in a message issued here on Friday.

In the message, he denounced the abrogation of the Constitution and take over by dictatorship on July 5, 1977.

Paying glowing tributes to the democratic ethos of the people, the ormer President said "the people of Pakistan have consistently refused to be suppressed by force and have always bounced back to seize their democratic rights from the jaws of dictators".

Describing the voices calling for accountability of dictators as a manifestation of the democratic yearning of the people, he said, "Dictators and usurpers of people's rights and freedoms must be punished".

The PPP Co-Chairman also paid homage to the martyrs of democracy. "Let us today resolve to strive for the preservation and promotion of democracy and the rule of law so that our people continue to march onto the road of progress and prosperity with hope and opportunity for everyone", he added.