ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday emphasised the need for strengthening the parliament to fight extremism and what he called new forms of dictatorship.

“Let us also re-dedicate ourselves to fighting extremism as well as the new forms and manifestations of dictatorship. Let us reiterate our resolve to strengthen the parliament,” the president said in his message on the fifth anniversary of Karsaz bombing in Karachi that killed over 200 workers of Pakistan People’s Party in 2007 when Benazir Bhutto returned to the country after a long exile.

“18th day of October is an occasion to pay homage to the memories of those brave sons and daughters of the nation who laid down their lives and suffered immeasurably in the cause of democracy and fight against extremism,” he said.

Mr Zardari said the journey that began on Oct 18, 2007 to oust the dictatorship reached a milestone on Aug 18, 2008 when the dictator was finally sent packing.

“However, the dictatorial mindset still appears to rear its ugly head occasionally by assaulting the parliament, the voice and the will of the people, employing different ways and different methods. The fight against this dictatorial mindset must also continue,” he said. “No one will be allowed to assault the parliament. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it.”

The president said that extremists and militants were continuing their attacks on the progressive and democratic forces behind the facade of religion. He mentioned the recent cowardly attack on Malala Yousufzai, Kainat and Shazia and said it was a proof yet again of the threats from the extremists.

“The battle lines that were drawn on this fateful day in 2007 have sharpened. The battle must continue till it is won,” he said.