Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday said that derailment of democracy always weakened the state. Addressing the all-parties conference titled Democratic System; Guarantee for Pakistan’s Dignity and Survival held at a local hotel under the aegis of Supreme Court Bar Association, he said that Pakistan was achieved after a great struggle.
He said that the founders of Pakistan had envisioned a federal parliamentary system for the country, but unfortunately the creation of the system was derailed after the death of the founding leaders.
Moreover, He said that efforts to strengthen the constitution of 1965 had resulted in Pakistan being run as a centric state that led to the separation of East Pakistan.
He said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) created a federal parliamentary system through constitution of 1973 which gave rights to people and the provinces besides strengthening institutions. However, he said, the country was again run as a centralised state during Ziaul Haq regime which weakened the country even more. Kaira said that the governance was a major issue and it was a common belief that Pakistan might have had stronger institutions if it had been governed properly. He added that all political parties who participated in 2008 general elections were in power but only the PPP was being held accountable for their actions.
