Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on Tuesday said that the newly-elected president Mamnoon Hussain would follow the constitution and law of the land, adding that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) decision not to participate in the presidential elections was an unfortunate gesture.
Talking to media person outside the Parliament House, the minister said that the incumbent government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has completed another phase of democracy where one President will go and the next will come through the power of ballot. He maintained that earlier the Presidents were sent home by applying different methods of high handedness. He said that the holding of presidential elections was people's wish, which was fulfilled as per constitution. He said that Pakistan had moved forward a long way in nurturing democracy and now the international companies have gained confidence and were investing in the country, adding that now the international leaders have started visiting Pakistan after the general elections 2013. He added that the country would be part of the civilised nations club, hoping that during the next five years the democracy would be strengthened to further improve the image of Pakistan.
About PPP leader Raza Rabbani‚ Information Minister said that his democratic credentials were very strong and hoped that he would maintain them in future too. The Minister said that two thirds of the electoral college for the presidential election participated in the polls whereas a major opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also took part in the presidential election.
To a question he said President Asif Ali Zardari was the constitutional president of the country and PML-N respected him throughout his tenure, adding that they would also respect him in future too. To another question, he said that MQM had extended unconditional support to PML-N in the presidential elections. He said that PML-N was doing the politics of principles.