CHAKWAL: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Saturday reiterated that the upcoming general elections will be held on time and there is no alternative to democracy.

Addressing a public meeting, the prime minister said that democracy is the voice of nation and the people love it.

He said there is no alternative to the democracy. It will be further strengthened after next five years and no-one will be able to derail or harm the democratic system.

The prime minister said holding elections is a national obligation and the government will complete the electoral process on time.

The coalition government is going to complete its term in a few months, after which polls will be held, he added.

He said only those would rule the country who would get the support of the masses through ballot.

Referring to his talks with other political leaders, Ashraf said all the politicians were unanimous that the democratic process should prolong in the country.

He said presently, all the state pillars, including media and judiciary, are supportive of the democracy. The people enjoy democracy and no one can snatch this right from the masses, he added.

The prime minister said it was an honour for him that he was addressing a public meeting here on the birthday of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He said he was also proud to be a resident of this area and now he was the prime minister with the blessings of the people. Only the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) can nominate a common worker as prime minister, he noted.

Earlier, the PPP Punjab president and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, addressing the public meeting, said President Asif Ali Zardari by appointing Raja Pervez Ashraf as prime minister had given importance to this area.

He expressed the hope that the prime minister will change the fate of the area with the start of development projects.

The prime minister, on the occasion, also announced inauguration of several development projects in the area.