KARACHI: “Democracy was never allowed to take its root in the country. Dictators are responsible for polarization in the society”, said Chairman Senate, Raza Rabbani while addressing a seminar titled “Is democracy necessary for Pakistan? ” held under the auspices of Karachi Press Club on Saturday.
“Dictators have always pushed the country into trouble. They have increased polarization between federation and provinces and imposition of one unit created sense of deprivation among the people”, observed Senator Rabbani adding Pakistan is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural state that has always stood up and protested against dictatorial regimes.
He said that all the speeches of Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and constitutions of 1956, 1962 and 1973 endorse that the democracy is the root of Pakistan. “All the constitutions are democratic in nature as each of the constitution talks about supremacy of federation and parliament”, he noted.
He argued that ending of academic culture was the root cause for increasing terrorism in the country.
Talking about current US stance on Pakistan-Afghanistan, Senator Rabbani opined that US President Donald Trump wants Indian Premier Modi to act as his policeman, the role once the Shah of Iran had played, saying “it is unacceptable for us”.
On terrorism, he said that the terrorism in the country has arose from the ashes of academic culture. “We will have give reply to all such elements through democratic way”, he added.
Hasil Khan Bizenjo, President of National Party of Pakistan and federal minister said that the democracy was not gifted in a plate but it was achieved through much struggle and sacrifices.
Intolerant attitude, extremism, corruption and terrorism are the legacies of Zia whereas the democracy is a time-tested and international phenomena, Bizenjo said adding “We have to follow democratic values and make the parliament even more stronger in order to save country”.
He rejected the concept of presidential form of government saying that few elements want to weaken democracy by propaganda of establishing such government.
Pak Sar Zameen leader, Anees Ahmed said that political leaders make tall-claims and fiery speeches but do not do anything after coming into power. He believed that democracy can flourish only when rule of law, equality and justice are ensured to prevail.
Muhajir Qaumi Movement MQM, Chairman, Afaq Ahmed said that since the creation of Pakistan dictators have ruled half of its history and harmed it. “They even have sold the rivers of the country”, he said adding “the worst democracy is better than the best dictatorship.”
General Secretary of PML-F, Sardar Abdul Rahim said that Hurr Jamaat fought against the British forces in order to save this country after its creation. “We believe in the strength of federation and its institutions. Rule of law and transparent elections would strengthen democracy in the country”, he added.
Babu Sarfaraz Jatoi President of PML-N Sindh said that Pakistan should be a welfare state rather than a security state.
PPP leader, Nisar Khuhro even viewed that the topic irrational saying “keeping discussion on this topic seems insane even after observing the worst era of four dictatorships”.
He ridiculed the condition of being graduate for contesting in elections. “The country was made by the poor and mediocre people hence, it would be miscarriage of justice if we ignore them”, he noted.
Muttahid Qaumi Movement president, Dr. Farooq Sattar observed that “democracy is the best system but we have to differentiate between selective democracy and participatory democracy. We even do not adopt the democratic behaviors which is the cause of the problem”.
He claimed that population of Karachi has increased up to 50 million as there has been a huge influx of Biharis, Bengalis, Burmese and Afghanis in major cities including Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur. “Hence, we need shares and solutions according to the increasing population of the city”, he demanded.
“Everyone talks about all the articles mentioned in the constitution except Article 140-A”, he said, biased and selective approach is no solution for resolving issues of people”, he noted.
Senior Journalist and analyst ,Mazhar Abbas said that political leaders did not learn from the past experiences, thus, have failed to create democratic culture even at their party-level. “The concept of dictatorship would prevail until all the political parties do not acknowledge that the democracy is the best system”.
President KPC, Siraj Ahmed, Secretary KPC Maqsud Yousfi, JI leader Asadullah Bhutto, QAT President Ayaz Latif Palijo, Sindh United Party Leader Syed Ghulam Shah and others also spoke on the occasion.
Published in Daily Times, August 28th 2017.