Derailment of democracy always weakened state: Kaira

Lahore: 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.

The founders of Pakistan had thought a system for the country that was federal parliamentary system but unfortunately, the journey towards the federal parliamentary system was stopped after the death of founders, he added.

The country was tried to run as centric state to strengthen the federation under the constitutions made before 1973 which caused deprivations due to which Bengalis who played a major role in Pakistan movement separated from us, he said.

He said the PPP gave a federal parliamentary system through 1973 constitution which gave rights to people and the provinces besides strengthening institutions. However, the country was again run as a centralized state during Ziaul Haq regime which weakened the country, he added.

Kaira said that the governance was a major issue and it was often asked that the situation might be different, if a good governance was in place.

He said that all political parties who participated in 2008 general election, were in power but only the PPP was being held accountable.