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Addressing media representatives at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), Rabbani emphasised the merits of federal democracy as mentioned in the Constitution.
Rabbani said a dictatorship does not recognise the core principle of federal democracy, which is "unity through diversity", or the multi-ethnic complexion of our society, and imposes a unitary structure that leads to fragmentation.
"A democratic system encourages dialogue, debate, accommodation, tolerance and confines conflict by providing mechanisms and institutions under the law," the PPP leader said.
According to Rabbani, much damage had already been inflicted to the Constitution, state institutions and laws.
"Corruption, nepotism, sectarianism, lawlessness, crime, drug abuse, economic disparity and economic mismanagement have all made it difficult for the common man to earn his daily living."
"The democratic system in Pakistan may not have come without flaws, it may be sluggish with a smack of bad governance, yet let there be no misconception," Rabbani said, adding that Pakistan must surmount and move forward.
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Comments (39) Closed
Jul 04, 2014 04:31pm
Yes the democracy which provide timely justice, security for every human being, basic needs for all kind of people and which provide equal human rights regardless of race,gender, religion , cast or color. Democracy you showed was nothing but corruption, injustice and worse law and order. While your leaders were filling their coffers with national wealth, nation was tormented by terrorism and inflation. I want to kow what democracy you are talking about?
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Jul 04, 2014 04:36pm
Stop fooling people. Your leader Zardari and your Party PPP does not believe in democracy. You just use this slogan to loot the country. You don't feel shame but we feel sorry for your parents who brought you up this way
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Jul 04, 2014 04:53pm
when PPP and PMLN say democracy its a code for family rule. calling PPP pathetic would be an understatement.
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Jul 04, 2014 04:54pm
I just don't think this guy understands that there is no democracy in Pakistan; it is in fact ruled by a family current PM this brother and the other family members; this has been the predicament of Pakistan ever since its independence; just to have a few ruling elite plundering national wealth at the cost of a common man is nothing but leading the country to a state of total collapse a group of financial elites that are there building up there fortunes by transferring money abroad; also just to label it a democracy does not make it a democracy.
I think Rabbani is either too innocent or lacking insight to not having understood that core issue so far.
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Jul 04, 2014 05:00pm
Mr. Rabbani is wrong , only equal rights, justice, respect for human life and getting rid of corrupt politicians and heriditory politics can save the country.
Zulfiqar Bhutto could not save the country just by preaching fake democracy.
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Jul 04, 2014 05:17pm
Mr. Rabbani, your party slogan is looto and more looto, you guys have no clue what's is the meaning of democracy in real life is? So stop shopping around for democracy and do some constructive work of your motherland for once as you will not get the another chance life is too short sir.
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Jul 04, 2014 05:56pm
Democracy in Pakistan is for the rascals who loot Pakistani money and deposit in western countries. These parties donot have democracy in their own parties. People like Rabbani are just agents of these criminals with no power but to be insulted in meetings.
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Jul 04, 2014 05:59pm
True but democracy in the hands of thieves, utterly incompetent, dishonest and corrupt leaders is a form of punishment.
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Jul 04, 2014 06:00pm
But i believed we are already in a functioning democracy are we not ?
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Jul 04, 2014 06:13pm
Unfortunately majority of people don't agree with Mr.Rabbani's assertion.
In Pakistan democracy has always been used to loot & plunder the nation and subjugate it's poor citizens by the so called democratic parties which are in fact family limited companies. The trend continues & if not stemmed by providing real democracy with justice & accountability for all where the rule of law prevails then am afraid the country is fast going to be a failed state
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Jul 04, 2014 06:14pm
time for ppp and pml-n to get back to together. and then people doubt imran khan.
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Jul 04, 2014 06:47pm
"Raza Rabbani on Friday said only democracy could lead and save Pakistan." - Another example of sloganeering. Raza Rabbani first look around his party PPP & its leadership. After party leader Benazir was assassinated, Asif A. Zardari claimed that she left a note appointing then 19 years old son Bilawal Zardari chairman of PPP .Raza Rabbani, Aitzaz Ahsan, Amin Fahim and other stalwarts of PPP had no qualms accepting Bilawal's hereditary claim to PPP's leadership. I guess democracy had no place when it came to election within the party.
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Jul 04, 2014 06:53pm
I democracy in Pakistan is unique where thieves are taking turn one by one to rule this poor country. These so called democratic leader of PPP & PML-N have looted this poor country and nation like a step mother. The kind of corruption they did in their respective tenure has no example in the world. They are known by all means, the most corrupt people in the world for all times.
Their followers should be ashamed of them self for calling these corrupt people their leaders
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Jul 04, 2014 07:24pm
Democracy alone can't save Pakistan, neither Kleptocracy - government by thieves for the thieves. nor Plutocracy - government by the wealthy, for the wealthy. To understand what true democracy is the people need to be educated. To cut the long story short, it is true education and education alone that can save Pakistan not the ones possessing forged degrees.
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Jul 04, 2014 07:49pm
There is no question about it. I really respect Rabbani and expect he will strive to bring democracy in his party as well. If PPP brings democracy in its ranks, there will be enormous pressure on Sharifs to do the same.
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Jul 04, 2014 08:04pm
Surely minus you all.
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Jul 04, 2014 08:28pm
I really do not understand what democracy Raza Rabbani is talking about.
The PML-N and PPP, the so called democratic parties of Pakistan have failed the nation again and again.
Are the political leaders so devoid of common sense and intellect that they cannot even see where they have brought the country to?
Or do they think we are so foolish that we will keep agreeing with them?
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Jul 04, 2014 08:29pm
hahahahahahahahahaha, Z.A. Bhutto style democracy? Pakistan has not recovered from that yet.
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Jul 04, 2014 08:51pm
I read the article and the comments. There is nothing new. I agree with all the comments that readers are making against the politicians. There is so much frustration out there.
But fellows, don't waste your time commenting. It is not going to change any thing, and you know that. People elect these clowns, because people are ignorant and stupid. The small class who is making these comments are not really prepared to do any thing concrete, because they are selfish. I don't want to say any thing more, because that will also be waste of time.
I am not in Pakistan. You figure out what you can do to correct the system. Keep in mind, it's not easy.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:04pm
@oldboy No. We are not in democracy. There is a democratic dictatorship in Pakistan.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:05pm
@Adnan Aren't they together. You should have fear of Allah.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:08pm
Dawn, I have a serious complaint against you.You only accommodate those posts in your paper whom you like and who you use only abusive language against their opponents.I have tried several times to reply to such posts but have rarely seen my write in the paper.Very sad.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:09pm
The best era for the people of Pakistan was Ayub Khan rule. There was peace and prosperity. Bhutto and subsequent leaders have destroyed Pakistan. So called democracy. We need a ruler like Pinochet of Chile and throw all the politician from the aircraft.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:12pm
The cure of democracy is more democracy not less. We need to respect other opinions. People participation in the development of the country should be ensured. Our govt is majority govt but it is not inclusive. Better to try porportional representation like in some european countries and our brother country turkey. Every pparty will have representation according to their vote bank.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:24pm
Only democracy can make you richer and richer and can save you from being prosecuted.
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Jul 04, 2014 09:52pm
Where is democracy in Pakistan. Open your eyes look at your leaders right from Bhutto to Zardari. What have they delivered to the common man. Shame on you if you are true democrat then atleast you should give up PPP candidacy. Stop talking about democracy if you can not implement while you and your party was in power. Military dictatorship has given more progress to the country than the peoples democracy in the country.
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Jul 04, 2014 10:04pm
Comeon guys ... wake up and smell the coffee ... you guys have still not learnt todate that democracy in Pakistan can not do anything let alone save Pakistan. It is only that Pak Army can save Pakistan. I call for Pak Army to stand up against the politicians once again, and I can assure you that Pakistan will rise up again following that.
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Jul 04, 2014 11:03pm
Why Aim for Survival always and not excellence?
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Jul 05, 2014 12:17am
Yes, but what we have is not a democracy!
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Jul 05, 2014 02:35am
Rabbni is saying the right thing. Read some history. Democracy is 'inefficient' but it works in long run.
Pak. can only be successful if it applies some of the same structural political changes as did by India right after independence.
Indian system is not perfect either BUT it will lead us ahead of China one day just by following "democratic foot steps'.
China will fail on its own weight because it does not have any democracy it has one party rule.
Humble advice to my friends on the other side of the border.
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Jul 05, 2014 02:39am
@Syed Ahmed
I 100% agree.
Patriotic Indian
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Jul 05, 2014 02:44am
Pakistan should follow the indian (Gujarat) model if it wants to have a successful economy. But for that the government should have full potential in order to take the country forward. Just like in India we have modi, I hope Nawaz sheriff would similarly prove to be a good leader in the same sense.
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Jul 05, 2014 04:25am
With such a great understanding of democracy, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader, Raza Rabbani, should run for the office of the president of America with Bilawal Zardari as his running mate.
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Jul 05, 2014 05:05am
Only Islam can save Pakistan, democracy and dictatorship are both manmade concepts that are doomed to fail in the short or long run no matter how attractive they may initially seem. Islam offers a complete political system that has worked for over 1300 years.
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Jul 05, 2014 06:18am
Rabbani has a poor memory. Bhutto started his career under Field Marshall Ayub Khan. I think democracy was not born at that time.
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Jul 05, 2014 10:42am
I disagree , only liberal funds from US, Arabia and china can help Pakistan to survive.
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Jul 05, 2014 11:54am
Just read another dawn news item: http://www.dawn.com/news/1117122/temple-compound-residents-continue-protest-over-harassment ---Whereby PPP Land Mafia is trying to take over Mandir Land and residence from poor Hindu Families. Is this the democracy we are talking about Mr. Raza Rabbani. It was your party Mr. Raza Rabbani that said Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. Now you are bent to take places of worship for your twisted democracy. Just remember we know what you doing and we will remember.
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Jul 05, 2014 12:18pm
Oh please for god sake layoff Enough is enough. You should be ashamed of yourself talking about democracy. Please talk only about sham democracy n hypocrisy
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Jul 05, 2014 11:02pm
@IKE - interesting - these so called self proclaimed democratic leaders will do anything to grab power by creating an environment of chaos - when unpopular they will have their cronies do strange things
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