24 May 2004	Monday	04 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, May 23: Separation of judiciary from executive, its independence and a free environment for political parties are essential for promotion of democratic values and stability of democratic institutions in the country.

These views were expressed by speakers at a two-day workshop on "Sources of stability of democratic process in Pakistan," organized by the Democratic Development Pakistan, a project of the Labour Education Foundation.

The speakers said that resolution of economic problems of labourers was imperative for democracy in the society, adding that the press should play its due role in infusing democratic ideas in the society.

Those who spoke on the occasion included, Justice Rasheed Rizvi, member Pakistan Bar Council, Mazhar Abbas, President, Karachi Union of Journalists, Nisar Shah Advocate, Chairman, Labour Party Pakistan, Prof Tauseef Ahmad, an educationist and others.

Speaking on "people's economic freedom and democracy," they said the farmers and labourers could not get economic security and freedom until the country was purged of its feudal system.

They alleged that feudal lords and civil bureaucracy employed undemocratic tactics to protect their personal and group interests, which resulted in spread of poverty, ignorance and unemployment in the country.

On "supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law," the speakers alleged that the judiciary attempted to justify the 'unconstitutional' steps of the rulers. Interference by army in political and constitutional affairs of the country suppressed the growth of democracy, they viewed.

They said the only way out of the crisis was to ensure supremacy of Constitution in the country and working on the philosophy of rule of law. Expressing views on "Press's role in providing a democratic culture to the society," they said continued censorship on democratic and new ideas had created a suffocating and undemocratic environment in the society.

They said democracy could not be established in the country because of the restrictions imposed on media. The press should promote democratic ideas among the people and unveil the oppression and injustices of the dictatorial system, they emphasized.

The participants of the workshop also put forward recommendations, which included their demands that the feudal system be eliminated, army interference in democratic process and civil institutions be ended, judiciary be separated from executive, freedom of speech, writing, assembling and expression be ensured, defence budget be curtailed and attention be paid to education, health and employment, a uniform educational system based on scientific foundations be enforced, ban on trade union activities be lifted and IRO 2002 be annulled, all discriminating laws, including Hudood Ordinance, be repealed, all federating units be given equal rights and press and electronic media be given more freedom. -PPI