Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, has said that continuity of democracy leads countries and their people to sustainable growth and prosperity. He said that elections were the best means for transfer of power but added in the same breath that in Pakistan emphasis had been placed on performance of ritual than transparency of elections. He said that we have failed to enjoy fruits of democracy because of this factor. He said that present electoral system and status quo were intrinsically linked as protector of each other. He said that this mysterious nexus was at the heart of violation of fundamental rights of the masses.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri expressed these views while addressing the executive council meeting of PAT Punjab chapter telephonically from abroad the other day. Chaudhry Afzal Gujjar and other leaders were present on the occasion.

Dr Qadri said that present electoral system was responsible for martial laws the country had been subjected to in the past. He said that following performance of ritual of elections, parliament would become hostage to whims and caprices of a few families and the people’s rights would be suspended in a hung parliament while the plunderers and looters would have field day. He said that the ruling elite of Pakistan did not learn to abide by the Constitution. Everything that advances and protects their interests including unconstitutional Election Commission was acceptable to them, he opined.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that PAT waged a struggle to raise awareness of masses about Articles 62, 63, 218 of the Constitution of Pakistan and the Supreme Court’s Judgment of June 8, 2012, adding that the way PAT pursued this agenda of public importance was a glorious chapter in the country’s history. He said that the meaningless Elections would turn out be a blot on the face of democracy. He said that it was important that Parliament consisting of able, competent, credible and honest people came into being to fight off the contemporary challenges posed to the country’s security and economy. He said that the next Parliament would not offer people anything.

Dr Qadri said that the upcoming elections would endanger the existence of Pakistan. He asked the people to be alive to their responsibilities in this regard and reject the system. He invited them to attend PAT’s public sit-ins to get their point of view registered against the incumbent system. He said that they should not stay silent at home and play their role for wellbeing of the country.