Pakistan a product of democracy, says prime minister

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that democracy is guarantor of peace and prosperity and the government will continue building consensus with all political parties to resolve issues facing the country.
In his address to the nation at a ceremony held here at Convention Centre to celebrate Pakistan’s 65th Independence Day, he said the parliament is about to complete its four years and political leadership agrees that it will succeed in stabilising democracy, which is solution to all the problems.
The Prime Minister felicitated the nation on its 65th Independence Day and paid tribute to the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and leaders of Pakistan Movement for providing a spirited leadership which created the world’s first ideological state through democratic struggle. “The creation of Pakistan was the best example of democratic struggle,” he noted.
The prime minister also praised Pakistan People’s Party leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for laying down their lives for democratic ideals and rights of people. He mentioned recent reforms in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) which brought changes in Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and allowed political parties to start activities with extension in Political Parties Order 2002 and said the reforms will enable the people to take hold of their destiny.
He said that people of Pakistan were democracy minded and democratic friendly in their temperament and attitude and think that it is vital that at federal level rights of provinces should be protected. It is top priority of the democratic government to run affairs in provinces with mutual agreement and in this spirit provincial autonomy was given under the 18th Amendment, he added.
Prime Minister Gilani said those regions which were ignored in the past, have been given rights, powers and recognition by the government and now Gilgit Baltistan has internal autonomy. He assured that the federal government will not ignore the education sector despite devolution of ministry to the provinces under the 18th Amendment.
Soon a national education conference will be held with the consultation of provinces and decisions will be taken with mutual understanding to promote the process of creating harmony in education, he added. The prime minister said his government took important steps to empower women including quota for seats in assemblies and appointment of ombudswoman.
The assembly has approved a law to end the tendency of harassment of female employees after which they can perform their jobs with more confidence and freedom, he told. He expressed satisfaction that more women are gaining higher education and are fully participating in progress and development of national life.
He said the government inherited the energy crisis as during the past dictatorial rule not a single mega power project was planned. He pledged that the nation will soon get rid of unannounced loadshedding due to effective steps of the government. “Work is continuing on Bhasha dam and Munda dam and it has been decided to provide necessary funds for Thar Coal project. Despite unfavourable conditions, 3000 megawatts of electricity have been added,” he continued.
Gilani said a committee headed by Federal Minister for Finance has been set up which will give suggestions on emergency basis to overcome the energy crisis. The prime minister said the government was formulating a strategy with the help of provinces to decrease price-hike. He said that Pakistan belongs to all and everybody has to think and act to make it a better place.
The prime minister said nobody can deny the reality that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and the international community has accepted the right to self-determination of Kashmiris. Pakistan will continue to provide unhindered moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris so that they can get their rights, he added.