Zardari, Bilawal stress battle against extremism in their Aug 14 messages

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Saturday that the nation would have to act upon democratic principles in the light of the philosophy of the founding father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In his message to the nation on the eve of Pakistan’s 74th Independence Day, the former president stressed the need for eliminating the culture of hatred, bigotry and intolerance. “We will have to get rid of all kinds of extremists since they are a threat to the society and the country,” he opined.

“PPP’s founding father and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) gave to the nation the freedom of speech as enshrined in the 1973 constitution,” he said, and added, “The 18th constitutional amendment is a ‘contract’ between the Center and the country’s federating units.”

Zardari vowed to make Pakistan a democratic and welfare state as per the mission of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto (BB).

In a separate message on the occasion of country’s 74th Independence Day, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan’s future was bright. “There is no threat to this country as long as the 1973 constitution is our guide,” he said and added that August 14th was the day when 74 years back in 1947, the peaceful political struggle of our forefathers for an independent homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent bore fruit. “It also symbolizes the democratic vision of our leaders,” he added.

Bilawal said that there was a greater need to find out the reasons as to why people in Pakistan were still deprived of basic amenities and their rights even 74 years after independence. “It is high time we pondered over as to why people were grappling with issues like poverty and non-provision of justice,” he said, and added, “The solution to all the ills afflicting Pakistan lies in having a real democracy in our country and adherence to the constitution.”

PPP chairman said the party was busy making Pakistan a modern, progressive and dynamic democratic state.

He said on this occasion he saluted Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his comrades for their struggle for an independent homeland for the Indian Muslims.

At the same time, he added, he paid rich tributes to former prime minister ZAB and former prime minister, his mother, Benazir Bhutto who struggled for making Pakistan a democratic country in letter and spirit. “The struggle both these great leaders had launched was reflective of pro-democratic movement launched by Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam. “Both BB and ZAB even laid down their lives for democratic ideals and principles,” PPP chairman said.

“Today is the day to pledge that we will resist every such ideology and step which obstructs people’s right to decide their future through ballot,” Bilawal asserted.

He further said on this day he could not forget people of the Indian occupied Kashmir who were braving brutalities at the hands of Indian forces. “PPP will continue to support the beleaguered people of held Kashmir until they get freedom as their wishes and the United Nations’ resolutions.