Democracy should be saved at any cost, says Shahbaz

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has said democracy should be saved at any cost as it is vital to strengthen the country. "Democratic government was toppled on October 12, 1999 and the cronies of the dictator used each and every tactics to dissolve the Parliament but Nawaz Sharif fought against dictatorship successfully," he said while addressing a 3-day Nazria-e-Pakistan Conference at Aiwan-e-Tehreek-e-Karkunan-e-Pakistan here on Thursday.
"I salute all those workers who faced oppression during dictatorial regime but some people betrayed Muslim League and made 'King Party' under the umbrella of a dictator," he said. He further said that unanimous approval of the NFC Award was a proof that Pakistan was a stable country and Inshallah would always remain.
"If we want to solve our issues with sincerity, nothing can come in our way", he said, adding that just distribution of resources, service to common man, provision of education, health and other basic facilities and supremacy of law were important for democracy. We would not hesitate to make any sacrifices for strengthening democratic system, he added.
He said that unity of the nation could be judged from the fact that the four provinces and federation foiled all conspiracies through displaying harmony and brotherhood. In the past, false accusations were being levelled against Punjab but after unanimous approval of the NFC Award in Lahore, everyone was appreciating the positive role of Punjab throughout the country, he added. The chief minister said.
"We will have to ensure supremacy of law for eliminating corruption from the country." He said that Pakistan was facing serious problems like terrorism and extremism but the whole nation was fully united in the war against terrorism and people were rendering great sacrifices. The Pakistan Army fought various wars and officers and jawans were martyred. "Pakistan is a peace-loving country and Inshallah we will succeed in the war against terrorism," he said.
Addressing the conference, PML-N leader Syed Ghaus Ali Shah said that Pakistan Muslim League was the founder party of the country and the same party would put the country on the road of success. Chairman Nazria Pakistan Trust, Majid Nizami, Begum Majida Wyne, Walid Iqbal, grandson of Allama Iqbal, intellectuals, writers and a large number of workers of Pakistan Movement attended the conference.