Coalition govt to protect, stabilize democracy: Kaira

Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday said the leadership of the ruling as well as the coalition parties have resolved to safeguard and stabilize the democracy and resist any unconstitutional move.”All parties have agreed to protect democracy and take all possible measures for its stability. They have also vowed to resist any unconstitutional move for sake of democracy,” Kaira said talking to media here to apprise it of a meeting of coalition partners chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

He reiterated that the elections will be held on time and ruled out any delay in this regard. To resolve the situation arising out of Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march, he said the government has formed a four-member committee headed by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.He said the committee would soon initiate dialogue with Dr Qadri and would strive to resolve all solvable issues as the protesters comprising children and women have been bearing sever cold weather.

He said the democracy always listens to the people’s grievances that has been manifested through formation of the committee.He said the committee had been mandated to hold talks with Dr Qadri that would listen to Qadri’s demands and also explain government’s position.

To a question, he said Qadri had also showed willingness for dialogue and ruled out a notion of any delay in this regard.He said it was not for the first time that someone had been permitted to stage demonstration at D-Chowk as earlier, Imran Khan and lawyers had also protested at the same venue.

Kaira said democracy had been strengthening in the country and the politicians were confident to resolve any issue with collective efforts.He said that the present government would not accept any extra constitutional demand. He said that Constitution was supreme and negotiations would be held within its limits.

Meanwhile,Talking to a private television channel, he said that Parliamentarians had administered oath for the protection of the Constitution. “We will protect the Constitution at all cost,” he stated. He said that democratically elected government wanted to negotiate with any one, but within the boundaries of the Constitution.He said that dissolving Election Commission of Pakistan and two other demands of Tahir ul Qadri are extra constitutional.

Kaira said that every one holds the right to protest.He said that powerful election commission, independent judiciary, free media and all state organs are fully performing their functions.

The Minister said that long march was started against the dictatorial regimes in the past to bring stability in the democratic institution and to protect the Constitution.

Replying to a question, Kaira said that credit goes to the present government for resolving conflicts of war on terrorism and reviving the Constitution in its true spirit.He said that Minister of Religious Affairs, Syed Khurshid Shah has announced to hold election on time after the completion of the tenure of the government.

To a question, he said that Tahir ul Qadri would have to surrender his Canadian citizenship for taking part in the coming general election.

To another question, Kaira said that protest was the right of any citizen of this country, adding that local administration facilitated the long march participants in the capital.

The Information Minister said that Pakistan People Party always supported freedom of speech and worked for strengthening democracy.