President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said parliament, representing the will of the people, was the shield against dictatorship. In his message on the fifth anniversary of Karsaz martyrs, the president said, “Let us also rededicate ourselves to fighting extremism as well as the new forms and manifestations of dictatorship. Let us reiterate our resolve to strengthen parliament.” Zardari said the nation had to stand up to all those, who thinking of parliament as a threat to their dictatorial ambitions, openly or secretly, sought to undermine it.
He said the 18th day of October was an occasion to pay homage to the memories of those brave sons and daughters of the nation who laid down their lives and suffered immeasurably in the cause of democracy and fighting against extremism.
He recalled that on this day, five years ago when Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan from exile to lead from the front the fight against dictatorship and militancy, her caravan was brutally attacked by the extremists and militants.
“On this day, we pledge to continue her mission to banish extremism and root out dictatorship in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.President Zardari said the phase of the journey to oust dictatorship that began on October 18 in 2007, achieved a milestone on August 18, 2008 when the dictator was sent home packing.
“However, the dictatorial mindset still appears to rear its ugly head occasionally by assaulting parliament, the voice and the will of the people, employing different ways and different methods.”
He said the fight against this dictatorial mindset must also continue. “Not one will be allowed to assault parliament. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it,” he said.
Zardari said the extremists and militants, who could not stand the power of Benazir’s call, were continuing their attacks on the progressive and democratic forces behind the facade of religion.
