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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called upon the nation to make a pledge that it will not allow any change through “force and intimidation and respect the power of ballot as an instrument of change”.
In a message on the 135th birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam, the president said: “The Quaid believed that any change must be brought about by ballot and rejected change by bullet.”
The tone and tenor of the text was striking given that triteness distinguishes messages on such occasions. The symbolism behind use of words like “change through force” and reference to ‘ballot’ and ‘bullet’ was unmistakable in view of the grim political scenario.
As late as Thursday, the prime minister had raised an alarm that moves were afoot to bring down his government. Although the Army chief’s remarks the next day were intended to squash speculations and rumours about any military takeover, an air of uncertainty still hangs over the nation, especially because of the standoff over the memo scandal.
Hence the allusions in the message assume a meaning of their own.
In his message the President said: “Let us pledge that we will not allow any change through force and intimidation and respect the power of ballot as an instrument of change.
“Let us pledge on this day to reclaim Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan and unleash creative powers of the people through freedom, justice, the rule of law and an end to terrorism and violence.”
Greeting the nation on the birth anniversary, Mr Zardari urged them “to forge unity to protect their democratic and political rights and to make Pakistan a country where egalitarianism prevails and in which every individual is allowed opportunities for the blossoming of his potential and shaping his own destiny”.
The president said: “Let us on this day rededicate ourselves to the democratic ideals and principles of the Father of the Nation as well as reiterate our resolve to defeat the forces that seek to undermine the nation’s founding principles”.
He said the Quaid had envisaged Pakistan as a democratic country dedicated to improving the lot of the common man.
Unfortunately, he added, due to dictatorships in the past welfare took a back seat and security concerns became predominant as the country faced extremism and militancy.
“We need to create conditions where the people’s welfare is the dominant concern of the state,” he said.
The president said the Quaid also stood for constitutionalism, rule of law, respect for human rights, pluralism and honouring the nation’s mandate. “We should never lose sight of our national goalpost. This indeed is our compass in a turbulent sea.”
Through another message, Asif Zardari wished Christians a merry Christmas.
“On this auspicious occasion, I also wish to reiterate the commitment of the PPP to continue to fight along with our Christian brothers and sisters for the rights of all minorities and deprived people in the country for establishing a liberal and pluralistic society in Pakistan.”
