LAHORE: Addressing on the occasion, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique said that all political parties should come forward to implement a charter of democracy besides charter of economy to resolve the issues faced by the people and steer the country out of crises. He said the solution of country’s problems lies in the charter of democracy because these were the politicians who have to make decisions for the best interest of people and put the things in order, adding that politicians by setting aside their differences sit together in the best interest of people.
The minister said that political parties should also evolve a mechanism for strengthening the democratic norms within the party which could also help in eliminating the feudal system in
parties and could provide an opportunity to the workers to represent at higher level. He said that a proper democratic system should be introduced in the political parties itself which could lead to strengthen the democracy in the country, adding that political parties should organize their workers and voters at grass root level so that no one could try to derail the democracy.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said that it was responsibility of all political parties to put efforts for strengthening the democracy in the country, adding that PTI chief Imran Khan should not cross ‘red line’ of politics as he already had caused a lot of damage to country’s economy and institutions. Imran Khan should refrain from destabilizing the country and politics of accusation because the country could not afford any adventurism in these circumstances, he maintained.
Addressing on the occasion, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid tribute the services of Shaheed Khwaja Muhammad Rafique to strengthen democratic system in country and appreciated his efforts for the political system in the country. He said that when PML-N had completed its tenure in 2018, the GDP growth was around 6 percent, after that when Imran Khan was brought to power, he led the country towards ruin. “Similarly, when we left power, Pakistan had a debt of 30 billion dollars, which increased to 60 billion dollars during the 44 months of Imran Khan’s government.”
The Minister mentioned that then PML-N government had left the power circular debt of Rs 1100 billion, but the PTI government had increased this debt manifolds, and Imran Khan made such an agreement with the IMF, which created more economic crisis in the country. At the time when the prices of various goods had to be increased then PTI did not increase these because they had realized that they would soon be kicked out of the government and the incoming government would have to bear the brunt of it and now the entire nation was suffering along with the incoming government.
The Muslim League (N) had given funds to Shaukat Khanum along with land but these favors were being forgotten by Imran. “I will say this to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi that Imran Khan is no one’s friend,” he added.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that at the time when there were floods in the country, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was busy helping the flood victims while Imran Khan was busy in
his rallies without caring about the flood victims.
On the occasion, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddique paying the tribute to the sacrifices of Shaheed Khawaja Muhammad Rafique for democracy and the Constitution said that Shaheed Khwaja Rafique’s services for democracy would always be remembered.
He said that founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted democratic system in the country, adding that he had suggested the former prime minister Imran Khan that if he really wanted to bring change he should first strive to bring change in parliament and discourage the
feudalism and landlordism because they were representing the people in Parliament without even knowing the problems of lower middle class and poor people.
Khalid Maqbool Siddique said that collective efforts were needed to ensure real democracy in the country as if the people were not benefited from the system, it seemed that no democracy exist. Challenging decisions have to be taken to resolve economic, social and political issues, he maintained.
Azad Kashmir former prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan said that all political parties should
focus on country’s interests ahead of its political interests to strengthen the democracy and national
institutions in the country, adding that inter-provincial harmony should also be promoted. He said that strengthened Pakistan could better help the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.