Pakistan was envisioned to be a democratic & progressive state: Zardari

ISLAMABAD, September 10: Former President Asif Ali Zardari has said that, “Pakistan was envisioned to be a democratic, progressive and modern state based on parliamentary federalism in which there is no room for theocracy and religious extremism.” He expressed these thoughts in a message on the eve of the death anniversary of father of nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah on Sunday September 11, 2016. On the eve of the Quaid’s death anniversary let us reiterate our total rejection of the state being uided by theocracy instead of democracy, modernity and welfare, he said. Welfare of citizens is necessary to promote national integration, social cohesion and consequently the security of the country he said. On the eve of Quaid’s death anniversary we reiterate the pledge to adhere to these principles, the former President said. Adherence to these principles demands that we defeat the militant mindset on the one hand and showing tolerance and accommodation to dissent on the other, he said. The former President also paid homage to those who laid down their lives and rendered huge sacrifices for the achievement of Pakistan as well for preserving democracy and constitutionalism and in fighting the militancy. -DNA