Presidents message on Pakistan Day: trampling of constitutionalism by dictators should end

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that restoration recently of the deposed Judges had raised the expectations of the people to witness an end to the cycle of trampling of Constitutionalism by dictators in the past some time under the doctrine of necessity and some time under the theory of successful revolution.
In his message to the nation on Pakistan Day (23rd March), he said, "This cycle must come to an end." He urged the people to work in the spirit of tolerance, mutual accommodation and respect for dissent. He invited everyone to participate in the national effort for national reconciliation and healing the wounds.
"Let us on this day also resolve to fight the tendency to have on set of laws for the privileged and another for the unprivileged. Let us dedicate ourselves to upholding the independence of judiciary in accordance with the Constitution and the guidelines given in the Charter of Democracy," the President said.
Referring to March 23, he said that "69 years ago, on this day, the Muslims of the subcontinent through a formal resolution expressed their firm resolve to achieve a separate homeland for themselves wherein they could fashion their lives in accordance with their own values, culture, and traditions.
The President said: "With the blessings of Allah and through an unprecedented struggle the Muslims of the subcontinent achieved their lofty objective within a short span of seven years. On this auspicious occasion I wish to greet the entire Pakistani nation.
"When our founding fathers resolved to carve out an independent state, they had in mind a state where constitutionalism and rule of law reigned supreme. "For a long time and at intervals the rule of law and Constitutionalism has been trampled by dictators some time under the doctrine of necessity and some time under the theory of successful revolution. On this day, let us all resolve that we shall endeavour to uphold the Constitution, rule of law and work for the emancipation of the people. "Unless there is rule of law and everyone is equal before law, the future of our great country will be exposed to internal and external threats. I am confident that if we adhere to Constitution and democratic principles we will transform our country into a truly welfare state as envisaged by the founding fathers.
"I pray to Almighty Allah to bless our efforts to prove ourselves worthy of the heritage bequeathed to us by the Quaid-e-Azam."
APP adds: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for placing national unity and integrity above any other consideration in the present environment. In a message on the occasion of Pakistan Day, he stressed the need for inculcating unity and discipline in every aspect of life both as a nation and as an individual. "Let petty differences be subordinate to higher values of life which demand unity, faith and discipline," he said.