August 20, 2007	Monday	Sha’aban 6, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 19: Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Sunday termed the absence of some MNAs and MPAs from President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s meeting at Multan an indication of strengthening of democratic norms within the ruling party, saying it would serve as a basis for `real democracy’ in the country.

“This was not an indication of a divide in the ruling party. This is a positive thing, reflecting democratic attitude of the ruling party members who have exercised the right to dissent but follow the leadership’s decisions taken through mutual consultation,” he said.

The minister was talking to journalists after a meeting of the Nazria-i-Pakistan Foundation.

He announced the establishment of a multi-media monitoring and evaluation cell to respond to propaganda against Pakistan and its ideology at international level.

He said assembly members were not robots controlled by someone. Attending a meeting or not was their democratic right and this would pave way for the establishment of real democracy in the country, he added.

He said the Pakistan Muslim League was not bothered about the departure or arrival of any personality and it was concerned more about the power of votes. All institutions in the country, including media and judiciary, must function according to the Constitution, he added.

“Personality cults, in the past, created dictatorships. The country needed strengthening of institutions. The government has allowed them (institutions) to function freely despite facing many challenges from them. Hopefully, these institutions will maintain a check on the future governments as well,” the minister said.

He claimed the politicians staying abroad had gone there of their free will and they would have to respect the law in case they decided to return. Everyone must respect the law, which was equal for all, he said.

When asked about MQM leader Altaf Hussain’s alleged statements against the ideology of Pakistan, he said there could be no compromise on such uttering. The biggest protectors of the ideology were the people of Pakistan and they had always given the right to politics to only those who supported it (the ideology), he said.

He said some political leaders were looking towards big powers for forming next government in the country but the power would be given only through ballot and democratic process which formed the basis for creation of the country itself.

The minister said Pakistan would never succumb to any outside pressure as far as its nuclear capability was concerned. He said the nuclear Pakistan had created balance of power in the region and helped establish peace.

Pakistan had tested its nuclear device as a result of sacrifices by its people, scientists and politicians only in response to India which first went nuclear. “Everyone has the right to object, but we have the right to decide (about our nuclear programme),” he said.

Mr Durrani said Dr Abdul Qadeer’s services for the country’s nuclear programme had always been acknowledged. His present state of affairs was better for the country and for himself and the government had always resisted all pressures regarding his future, he said.

He said lasting peace and economic development were not possible in the region without the resolution of Kashmir dispute according to the wishes of Kashmiri people.

The minister said Pakistan wanted peace with India and all its neighbours, but a weak country could not demand peace.

He said questions were being raised about Pakistan’s nuclear programme but such challenges could be met only when the nation stood united. “One should have differences but one must not compromise on the country’s interest and its ideology.”

The minister said Pakistan wanted relations with the world based on equality and did not need dictation from anyone. The government was protecting physical as well as ideological frontiers of the country as per the wishes of people and could not allow any country to challenge its sovereignty, he added.

He pledged all out cooperation for the establishment of the evaluation and monitoring cell hoping that it would serve as a think tank and help foil all propaganda against Pakistan and its ideology.

Nazria Pakistan Foundation Secretary Dr Rafiq Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.