Leaders of five mainstream political parties want to strengthen political parties for stability of democracy and development of the country.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif in their separate messages to the opening session of Center for Civic Education Pakistan's two-day national conference on 'Political Parties and Challenges of Democratic Development' are unanimous on the fact that strong political parties are vital for democracy and democracy is a prerequisite for development.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami said that strong political parties were very important for political and economic stability of the country. "For success of federal parliamentary system, strengthening of political parties is essential," he added.
"Unfortunately, in Pakistan repeated military interventions in politics did not allow political parties to develop as vibrant institutions. Performance of political parties is a big source of people's political education," he said.
"If, there were no military interventions in politics and if there is no bar on freedom of expression and freedom of association the people of Pakistan would have learnt how to exercise effectively their power of vote to elect a government of their choice," Qazi Hussain Ahmad said.
The JI chief said that it was important for political parties to have a constitution, an economic programme as well as a manifesto. The voters rejected political parties that did not act according to their constitutions and did not fulfil their election promises. To run a country democratically it was essential for political parties to be internally democratic, he emphasised.
"Unfortunately, most political parties in Pakistan do not adhere to democratic norms and are personality driven. Political parties that are not internally democratic cannot implement democracy in the country," he said.
"Internal party elections are necessary to give a chance to committed people to take leadership roles. The present government in Pakistan is continuation of the military dictatorship. Without ending military role in politics, no one will accept Pakistan as a democratic country," the JI leader said.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, said that political parties could not play their due democratic role unless democracy was implemented according to letter and spirit of the constitution of Pakistan. He said people's trust in the system was very important.
"People should have surety that a government they had elected should complete its tenure and Parliament should be allowed to play its role," he added.
"Repeated martial laws in Pakistan have proved a killer for democracy, political parties and constitution. Such acts had damaged Pakistan in the past and whoever do it now and say that these are in the interest of country is misleading the people. We need to move forward towards a stable democratic government where there is complete supremacy of the parliament and constitution. Conferences, seminars, workshops and other such efforts will help create political awareness".
Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, President, Pakistan Muslim League, said political parties and democracy were inseparable from each other in as-much-as Democracy sans political parties is a myth nay a falsehood.
He said, "Pakistan had a checkered history of democracy but the political parties continued to survive and struggle for restoration of democracy in the country and I am pleased to say that their struggle always succeeded. Even in the most adverse circumstances, political parties stood like a rock and gave sacrifices for restoration of democracy in the country."
He said that it was PML, which had convinced President General Pervez Musharraf that country's existence and its progress in the field of economy and prosperity could be achieved only through democratic set-up.
The essence of democracy is tolerance of others viewpoint and this has been amply demonstrated by the PML and the president of Pakistan in practice.
Mian Nawaz Sharif, Leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N), said that Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its history. The battle for the right of self-governance of the people and constitution to be supreme is being fought.
The PML-N is committed to continue its struggle for restoration of 1973 constitution as it existed on October 12, 1999 and a fair and free election in Pakistan so that the people can choose their representatives freely, he added.
He said his party believed that there could be no compromise on military's role in politics and subordination of democratic institutions to military.
Pakistan People's Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto said strong political parties were critical for building a pluralistic society rooted in institutions. Political parties play a critical role in bringing together a nation, representing people, spearheading debate, formulating policies and serving the people. "We still have to develop such mentorship in Pakistan where dictators fear politics and deride political leaders in their quest to inflict an inequitable and unjust order," she added.
Bhutto said in Pakistan in particular the road of politics, as distinct from apprenticeship to military dictators, was rough. Many of the best sons and daughters stayed out of the political field for fear of consequences that arising from dissent.
This is unfortunate and it was necessary to reverse the tide by ensuring that political beliefs would not lead to political persecution, she added.
The PPP chairperson said countries were united through political institutions. These include the constitution, the parliament and political parties. Without political parties, countries fall apart.
"For me political parties are the expression of people's hopes, dreams and future. I urge the youth to join political parties and shape the destiny of our country," she added.