LAHORE, Dec 28 (APP): Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Monday that democracy and continuity in democratic process was the solution to cope with all challenges and issues facing the country.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with the 43rd death anniversary of his father and eminent Muslim League’s worker Khawaja Rafique Shaheed organised by Khawaja Rafique Shaheed Foundation presided over by senior politician Javaid Hashmi here at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, he said that it was time to adopt better democratic attitude as stronger democracy would help discourage anti-democratic forces.
He said that political parties should also bring democracy within the parties and turncoats should be turned down like the PML-N which had not given the positions to such politicians in policy making.
He said new comers in the politics should learn and follow decency in politics as well as democratic traditions should be followed, adding that abusing and defaming others was un-accectable.
The minister said that Afghanistan was a sovereign country and it was right of its citizens to decide their future, adding that Pakistan did not interfere in matters of other countries.
He said the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan was a good omen but it was clear that dialogues with India would be held on equality basis.
He said it was time for India to resolve all issues including Kashmir issue for durable peace in the region.
Saad said that China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) was also result of democracy and it was corridor of nation’s prosperity and progress.
Speaking to PTI chairman Imran Khan, he said the PML-N accepted the results of NA-154, adding the PTI should accept the results of NA-122 in which Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq had been elected.
On the occasion, Former chief minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Maalik Baloch said that political parties joined their hands for struggle against dictators in every period but during the current, some people tried to derail democratic process on the name of sit-ins but politicians had expressed unity and rejected non-democratic practice.
He said the country was on the path of prosperity and peace due to the democratic political system and credit went to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who developed consensus on all issues.
He said that crime rate in Balochistan had been reduced due to peace dialogues with angry groups and these peace talks would continue till the complete peace in the province, however the government had successfully overcome 75 percent crimes.
Paying tribute to Khawaja Rafique Shaheed, he said such sacrifices gave life to democracy.
Jamat e Islami secretary general Liaqat Baloch said that sacrifices needed for bringing democracy in the country and Khawaja Rafique Shaheed was an example of sacrifice who presented his blood for democracy.
Awami National Party Senator Afrasyab Khattak paid tribute to Khawaja Rafique Shaheed and said his sacrifice for democracy would be remembered for years.
Senior Politician Javaid Hahsmi said that Pakistan was one of the most important countries in the world and the world had to accept prosperity, power and peace of the country.
He said that peace in Pakistan means peace in the world, Asia and the region.
He appreciated Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his economic policies.
He said that he opposed the desire of Imran Khan to attack on the parliament and made clear that he (Hashmi) could not become part of any effort which might resulted in the form of Martial Law.
He paid homage to Khawaja Rafique Shaheed for his sacrifice for democracy and said Khawaja was a brave man who never hesitated to say truth before any leader.
Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhamamd Asif, PML-N Leader Hamza Shehbaz and Senior journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami also spoke on the occasion.
