KARACHI: Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair on Sunday said Pakistan’s democracy is strengthening with the passage of time. He was addressing Major General (r) Shaukat Iqbal’s book launch at Arts Council. The governor said that 99 percent ministers are “highly educated” which is a good omen for the future of country. “We should also accept and appreciate the positive things happening in Pakistan without ifs and buts. Our people are freer to express their ideas unlike other Asian countries including Egypt where people are killed for asking question from their leaders,” he said. He also lauded the role of media and other institutions for the country’s development. Iqbal, author of “Civil-Military Equation in Pakistan: Perception and Reality”, said, “Political mismanagement and bad governance caused military coups in the country.” He said Pakistan has experienced military coups at least four times since its independence to fill the loopholes created by political system of the country. “Lack of political education, involvement of MNAs and MPAs in the local government, monarchic system and feudalism are some of the big hindrances in the way of democracy,” he said, suggesting that such elements should be discouraged. Journalist Agha Masood said Pakistani society is full of conflicts. “Absence of rule of law, corruption, nepotism and other such elements have invited and compelled military to intervene in the political matters of the country.” He said Pakistan has been thinking to change its foreign policy towards India. Masood also said Pakistan has expressed its desire to maintain friendly relationship with India but the latter did not reciprocate. “Modi believes in extremism and is using religion for political gains,” he said. “Despite facing many military coups, Pakistan has successfully preserved the elements and essential for democracy,” he said, adding that the existing issues can be resolved through the local government system and powerful education. SZABIST Social Sciences Department Dean Dr Riaz Sheikh suggested that Intelligence agencies should not meddle in political affairs. He said that each institution has to perform its own role and responsibilities mandated for sustainable democracy.