ocracy only way forward to secure country’s interests: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jul 5 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said democracy and representative rule is the only way forward to secure country’s interests.  In his message on the ‘black day’ in the country’s political history  when a dictator overthrew a democratically elected government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the Prime Minister said the step plunged the country into darkness of martial law for eleven-long years.  “Had the people’s will been respected and their government allowed  to serve them, Pakistan must have become politically and economically a great power both in the region as well as beyond,”  he said.
Gilani said the multiple challenges facing the country today owe themselves to lack of continuity of the democratic system.  
“No nation can aspire to have any role at the regional and global level unless its institutions are strong, which is, otherwise, a function of strong democracy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the day also reminds of the heroic struggle  waged by the workers of Pakistan People’s Party against the dictatorial regime and for restoration of people’s inalienable right to determine their future through their elected representatives.
“On July 5, let us pledge to work even harder for strengthening democracy in the country,” he said.