'Political choices need to be made through ballot'

President Asif Ali Zardari while calling for elimination of all forms of bigotry, extremism and militancy stressed strengthening of democratic system and urged that political choices be made by ballot, and not imposed through bullet. In a message on the Independence Day the President urged the nation to rededicate itself to the democratic ideals and principles of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
"On this day I wish to call upon everyone to work together for strengthening of democracy, empowerment of the people and for a progressive, tolerant, moderate and modern Pakistan as envisioned by our great leaders," the President said. The President regretted that unfortunately, for most part of the independent existence the people were often denied right to rule and the Constitution was repeatedly abrogated. "It is reassuring that the present Parliament unanimously restored to a large extent the democratic Constitution of 1973," The President said.
He said the restoration of the Constitution by all political forces and provinces raises hope that despite setbacks the nation would revert to its true bearings and restore the values and ideals for which Pakistan was created. "However, the people and the Parliament must also be watchful against new forms of assaults on the Constitution and the Parliament," the President pointed. He said the founding fathers envisioned Pakistan as a country where democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme.
The President said it was envisaged to be a country where the power of the ballot, and not bullet, would determine the political choices of the people. Countless lives were sacrificed for the achievement of these ideals including that of the country's first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Muslim world's first elected woman Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The President extended heartiest felicitations to all Pakistanis within the country and abroad and said the day falling in the holy month of Ramzan, was the most important date in national calendar. "On this day in 1947, our long and hard struggle for independence against foreign domination was crowned with success and a new state was born wherein we could fashion our lives and destiny in accordance with our culture, values and aspirations."
The President said "our heads bow in gratitude before Allah and we express gratitude to our founding fathers who under the leadership of the Quaid achieved a separate homeland for us." The President said while it was natural to rejoice the independence celebrations, it was also an occasion to pause and ponder whether the nation has moved towards, or away from the ideals for which Pakistan was created.