HYDERABAD, Dec 26 The president of the PML-N Sindh chapter, Syed Ghous Ali Shah, has said that during the past 61 years, democracy has not been allowed to flourish in Pakistan and stressed the need for implementing the Charter of Democracy in the country to strengthen democratic institutions.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the local chapter of his party on “The concept of Quaid-i-Azam's Pakistan and today's Pakistan” to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Pakistan was not achieved through the barrel of a gun but through democratic means, Mr Shah said, adding that, it could only be strengthened through democracy.

He said that in accordance with democratic norms if the power had been handed over to Shaikh Mujeebur Rehman in the 70s, Pakistan would have remained intact.

He said that today's Pakistan was not the dream of Quaid-i-Azam because he believed in undiluted democracy and added that unfortunately democracy was trampled over on several occasions by the military junta.

He said that his party chief, Mian Nawaz Sharif, was forced to live in exile for many years simply because he believed in democracy. He said that the PPP government also came to power through votes and it was therefore high time that the Charter of Democracy was implemented to strengthen democratic institutions for all time.

He, however, regretted that the present government was also a continuation of Pervez Musharraf's regime. He said that the credit for making Pakistan a nuclear power went to Mian Nawaz Sharif and expressed the hope that India would not commit the blunder of attacking Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Abdul Rahim said that only looters and plunderers had ruled over Pakistan and usurped state properties. He said that those looters included army officers, politicians and tax thieves.

“These people have destroyed Quaid-i-Azam's Pakistan, who had helped realise the dreams of Allama Iqbal,” he said. He said that Mian Nawaz Sharif was striving hard to resurrect the Pakistan of the Quaid-i-Azam.

The provincial information secretary of the party, Zahid Rafique Butt, said that it was due to the sacrifices of Benazir Bhutto and the political acumen of Nawaz Sharif that the PPP reached the corridors of power. He, however, regretted that the remnants of Pervez Musharraf were still there.

The others who spoke on the occasion included Khalid Aziz Arain, youth wing leader Abdul Hameed Khoso, MSF leader Roshan Baloch, Shabbir Hassan Ansari, women wing leader Soorath Thebo and others.

Quran Khwani Commission pass lecturers under the banner of Action Committee organised Quran Khawani outside the press club here on Friday and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the soul of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

Hindu lecturers Meghraj Rajput, Dileep Kumar and Partab Rai recited verses from Geeta.

Later, they distributed fruits.

Talking to reporters, Ayaz Halepoto and Hashim Qureshi said that the commission pass lecturers met scores of MPAs, MNAs, ministers, advisers and special assistants for their appointment but had not received any response.

They appealed to President, Sindh Chief Minister and education minister to fulfil the promises of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and announce their appointment on her first death anniversary on Dec 27.