Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Syed Sumsam Bokhari Thursday reiterated his party’s resolve to continue fighting against fascist forces for supremacy of the constitution. “We rendered sacrifices for democracy and supremacy of the constitution. We respect differences and believe in consensus and reconciliation,” he said addressing the ceremony held in connection with 35th anniversary of Radio Pakistan Islamabad. “But, if differences are based on conspiracies, the situation leads to destabilization,” he added.The minister also reiterated his government’s resolve to respect the court verdicts but stated, they reserved right to appeal in apex court’s decision in contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
“We have a long history of struggle and sacrifices. No matter who leads the government, PPP will continue its struggle for democracy and supremacy of the constitution,” he said. He regretted that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged to protect the constitution and the present regime is facing challenges for upholding the constitution. “Democracy and struggle is the valuable asset of PPP. Our moto is to protect masses rights against the fascist forces and we will continue doing it,” he stated. “We never said we did not make mistakes. But, there should be justice. Struggle for masses right is our right and we shall fulfil our obligations,” he said and mentioned to his party’s sacrifices for restoration of deposed judiciary.
Without naming anybody, the minister mentioned to some political leaders who believed in right-sizing and down-sizing of institutions and added, to render people jobless is not policy of the PPP government. “Those who live in palaces cannot understand the miseries of the poor. But, people like us who have a long history of sacrifices, can only come up to their aspirations.”
He assured the PBC employees to resolve their problems and extended all out support advising them to look at future and forget the hardships of the past. “We need to progress, we need to be prosperous. Let us not repeat follies of the past but learn a lesson from our past.”
He said even in this age of progress, Radio is the most effective media to educate and aware people about their rights and prepare them to meet the challenges, the nation is facing. “Only those win who are rightful and committed. Let us carry forward the vision of Shaheed Z A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto to steer country out of problems and to relieve masses from social ills,” he added.
He said when the clouds of anarchy were hovering over the country, President Zardari shouldered the responsibility to keep all the federating units united and delivered successfully for promoting national cohesion and unity among masses.
Sumsam also announced Rs 100,000 donation for the PBC officials who preserved the speeches and voice of Z A Bhutto despite all efforts by the dictator to erase his memories and words from PBC record. He also cut the birthday cake to celebrate the anniversary of Radio Pakistan Islamabad. Director General PBC Murtaza Solangi said under the able leadership of President Asif Ali Zrdari and Prime Minister Gilani, Radio Pakistan is emerging as an effective media to reach out to people even in far-flung areas.
He said the dictators tried to undermine the people-friendly role of radio but they could not erase the imprints of Z A Bhutto’s memories from minds of Pakistani people.
