Country can't afford more 'experiments': PM Ashraf
08 March, 2013
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| PM Raja Pervez Ashraf addressing during a dinner hosted in the honour of members of the National Assembly. |
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ISLAMABAD: Calling politics a national service, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday said that politics in Pakistan could not afford further experiments.
Speaking at a dinner in the honour of members of the National Assembly, Raja said that the purpose of upcoming election was not only to transfer power, as it was a link to the continuity of the democratic process and the integrity of the country. He said that the next political set-up would determine the coming political, economical and international obligations.
He said that certain elements were unfortunately trying to degrade politicians and the government by their negative propaganda to achieve their ulterior motives, but "by the grace of Allah Almighty, the present coalition government despite all this negative propaganda achieved such unprecedented successes which would be a milestone in Pakistan's 66 years' history".
Congratulating parliamentarians on the successful five-years term, the prime minister said that transfer of power to another government in a peaceful and democratic manner would be a historic occasion.
He said that it was a matter of pride and pleasure for the government and the people's representatives that they served the masses with honesty and national zeal. He said that despite many challenges and efforts to weak the government, "we remained successful to carrying the journey of democracy to its destination".
He hoped that this achievement of the government would be a prelude for continuation and stability of democracy in the country.
Raja congratulated the public representatives, particularly the opposition parties, for their positive role – who despite their criticism on the government maintained continuity of the system.
He said that the country's parliamentary history had always confronted with an uncertain situation where undemocratic forces usurped the rights of the people and made decisions of their future.
He said the present government had again given the rights of the people to them and "now the people will decide by themselves about their representatives".
Raja said that armed forces for the first time briefed the incumbent parliament on the country's security situation, while the defence budget was discussed in parliament and supremacy of parliament was accepted.
He said that all legislation was done with consensus and it was due to the reconciliatory policy of the government that it accepted positive proposals of the opposition parties.
The prime minister also congratulated the lawmakers for the record legislation during the period.
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