The prime responsibility of the democratic state towards improving the living standards of citizens is to ensure protection of life and property, equal distribution of resources, enforcement of human rights, and take practical measures for curbing class division, intolerance, lawlessness and injustice, so that peaceful and democratic society can be established.
This was stated by Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), while addressing a training of trainers on 'Human Rights and Democracy', which was arranged by Peace and Human Development (PHD-Foundation) and Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). As many as 25 Muslim and Christian participants including youth, teachers and representatives of civil society organisations actively participated in the training.
Suneel Malik (Director-PHD Foundation) said: "In order to drive the county on democratic lines, the government must make certain the supremacy of state organs, the freedom of media, and the rule of law and corruption free system." "The government must frame policies, laws and institutions in such a way that the social harmony and peace can prevail, and poor working class can demand its rights on merit from the influential persons and institutions, without any fear and pressure," he added.
George Clement (Co-ordinator-LEAP) said: "Since the feudal thinking and approach prevails in our society, therefore, class division on the basis of social status, and exploitation of the working class is on the rise, even the working class has to face dire consequences in case of demanding rights from the landlords, therefore, the benefits of democracy cannot reach out to the poor public, unless the land reforms are enforced, and landless farmers are given ownership rights of lands." Iftikhar Ahmad said: "Democracy is not only a system of governance, but also an attitude, so it is termed as the best system in the world. Democratic norms have not prevailed in our country because rulers of Pakistan have always given preference to their personal interests over national interests, and have run the matters of state according to their will, but not according to the constitution and laws." "Family politics is an undemocratic step, therefore, the public leadership from the middle class cannot come into power without the end of family politics from Pakistan," he added.