950806

Urdu eveninger launched from Islamabad

Wasim stresses need

to strengthen democratic

institutions

NISAR AHMAD SHEIKH

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Wasim Sajjad has called for the strengthening of the democratic institutions - the Parliament, the judiciary and the fourth pillar of state journalism - for promotion and well-being of democracy.

He was speaking at the formal launching of the an Urud eveninger from Islamabad - Al Jamhoor - here on Sunday afternoon.

He said that in a democratic set-up, the stability of democracy and its functioning, the print media play a vital role. He said if the print media do not cover the parliamentary proceedings, the working of the National Assembly and the Senate would not be known to the general masses. The critical questions and issues presented through the adjournment motions and other ways would not see the light of the day and no effort would be made to resolve various issues before the country.

Another important role the print media plays is the presentation of the activities of the elected representatives as to whether they are discharging their responsibilities effectively or not.

Wasim Sajjad said that in Pakistan the newspapers are playing a dual role of building the public opinion and presenting the conduct of the elected representatives in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

Senate Chairman, stressing the need to implement democratic norms in the reall sense of the word, said that the soul of democracy "is freedom from fear and freedom of conscience. Freedom from fear is essential in Pakistan and is the need of the hour. For this, the institutions have to be strengthened and consolidated. The democratic institutions like the Parliament, the judiciary and the fourth pillar of the state - the print media - should not only be respected but also strengthened to enable them to play their due role," he said.

He pointed out that "we have not yet reached the stage where we can say that real democracy has been established. The holding of elections is not democracy and real democracy would only usher in where the Parliament is held supreme and respected."

SARDAR QAYYUM

Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, said the newspapers should be issue-oriented and politics should also be issue-oriented. 'Unfortunately politics has become enmity-oriented," he lamented.

He said that he had been advising Mian Nawaz Sharif to play his role on issues. The struggle for power would continue but the issues must be given preference over individual grasp for power. He said that there should be more respect for institutions but "unfortunately personality cult is being practised and propagated." The self-styled powerful people must surrender to the institutions to enable the institutions to play their role effectively and positively, he added.

He said in Pakistan, some face-saving has been achieved in the shape of two popular parties emerging after the elections and it is the responsibility of the leaders of these two parties to put up a dyke before weakening the democratic institutions. He said there is need to inculcate the spirit of democracy by accepting the rights and views of others and creating the habit of listening to others' point of view.

He said that no one should have any misgivings about the defence forces of Pakistan as the valiant defence forces of Pakistan are the only guarantee to defeat the machinations of the enemy. He said if essential, the defence budget should be doubled with total respect to the members of the armed forces.

"So far as Kashmir is concered," he said, "there is stability in the territory because of the system functioning there." However, he pointed out that the position of Azad Kashmir is most vulnerable and any attempt to create instability would provide an opportunity to the enemy to march in.

KHARAL

Information Minister Khalid Ahmad Kharal said that the government is giving serious consideration to the growing financial difficulties of newspapers because of the rising prices of newsprint and other materials. He was confident that a decision about the reduction in import duty on newsprint would be taken very soon.

So far as the advertisements are concerned, he said, the Information Ministry has a very limited choice over them. Most of the departments earmark the newspapers in which their advertisements should appear.

He said the government is not using advertisements as a political tool and it will never stoop to this level. The advertisements would never be used for political objectives, he stressed.

So far as Karachi situation is concerned, he said, it is the responsibility of the government that peace and normalcy prevail. He said that two main demands of the MQM, that is appointment of an Urdu speaking governor and withdrawal of amry has been accepted by the government. However, it is the duty of the government to eliminate terrorists and there can be no compromise on this.

He said that the elections to the National Assembly from Karachi cannot be declared null and void. "There is no law which can declare them null and void." It was the decisionn of the MQM to boycott the elections and they must hold themselves responsible for the consequences.

Others who spoke on the occasion included the Editor of Al-Jamhoor, Zahid Malik, President of the Newspapers Hawkers Association Tikka Khan, and Syed Fasih Iqbal, a former senator.