ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the political progression during the last three years is testimony that the political system has gained the potential to face crises successfully.
In his address at the joint session of the Parliament in Islamabad on Wednesday, the president congratulated the Parliamentarians on the successful completion of the third and beginning of the fourth parliamentary year.
The president said that during the past three years the country’s democratic march has been progressing despite ups and down. However, he stressed for making collective efforts to give more strength to the democratic process for achieving socio-economic development of the country.
“(During the last three years) our democratic march has been progressing successfully despite ups and downs and it is now the responsibility of each individual, class and institution to earnestly contribute towards reinforcing this positive trend,” the president said.
The president said that since the country has already witnessed unpleasant experiences many times in its parliamentary democratic and political history which could not be repeated. Thus, he said that obstinacy and personal differences should not override national interest and reminded the Quaid’s advice that neither the opposition and nor any group has the right to unlawfully impose its will on the elected government.
President Mamnoon said that the nation is now convinced that the objective of sustainable development and stability is not possible without democracy.
“This is a great leap forward towards political maturity for which the parliament, political parties and Pakistani nation deserve commendation,” he added.
The president said that it is through sustaining and nurturing democracy that we can serve the nation, raise its standard of living and further strengthen the system.
The governments that ensure rule of law, economic development and provision of basic needs to the people easily overcome challenges, succeed in stabilizing democracy and reinforce the relationship between an individual and state, he said.
Mamnoon Hussain said that he was glad to note that both the government and the opposition are cognizant of this and are formulating policies in the light of this philosophy thereby strengthening democracy.
The president said that the government, be it of any political party, should formulate policies in accordance with this tested principle so that democracy can take roots and the people may live a happy and prosperous life.
President Mamnoon said that the progress and prosperity of a nation is measured by its economic performance and as a veteran political worker and a student of economics, he has always kept an eye on these matters.
