Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Democratic Values: PM Shehbaz Sharif
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to upholding the fundamental values of democracy, including equality, justice, freedom, human dignity and the rule of law, as the country observed the International Day of Democracy on September 15.
In his message on the occasion, the prime minister said the day provided an opportunity to renew the nation’s resolve to respect the will of the people, safeguard human dignity and uphold the rule of law.
He said that in a democratic system, authority was exercised through elected representatives for the welfare and well-being of the people. Parliament, he added, remained the central democratic institution and represented the voice and aspirations of the people.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Constitution of Pakistan provided the legal framework governing relations between the state and its citizens. He highlighted Article 25, which guarantees equality before the law and equal rights for all citizens.
He noted that the Constitution also defines the respective roles of the federating units, safeguards the constitutional status of national institutions and establishes the framework for governance and administration.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s federal parliamentary democratic system entrusted Parliament with the responsibility of legislation in accordance with the public interest and Islamic principles. He stressed that framing laws in line with the aspirations of the people and the changing requirements of the contemporary era was among Parliament’s fundamental responsibilities.
He emphasised that effectively addressing contemporary challenges and securing a prosperous future required steadfast efforts to uphold and strengthen democratic values that formed the foundation of public welfare.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted the constitutional commitment to ensuring the full participation of women in all spheres of national life. He noted that reserved seats for women in the federal and provincial legislatures had been provided to ensure their effective representation.
He said the state was equally committed to protecting the rights, interests and legitimate concerns of minorities. Reserved seats for non-Muslim minorities in the federal and provincial legislatures, he added, had been provided to ensure their representation in democratic institutions.
Referring to Pakistan’s international commitments, the prime minister said the country remained fully cognizant of its obligations and supported democratic principles at the global level.
He said Pakistan was making concerted efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including the promotion of democracy, peace and justice, as well as the development of strong, effective and accountable institutions.
Concluding his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for reaffirming the collective resolve to advance democratic values in accordance with the finest parliamentary traditions, protect the fundamental rights of citizens and build a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Pakistan.
