National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Minister for Planning, Development
and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said continuity of democratic system
was vital to strengthen institutions in the country.
Talking to a private news channel, he lauded the political
traditions and institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) and said
there was a history of hundreds of years of rule of law with
continuity to attain this position.
On the other hand in Pakistan, he said dictators had ruled
the country for more than 35 years and the democratic system had
been halted many times. In a situation where martial laws were
imposed, how institutions could have been strengthened in the
country, he asked.
Ahsan Iqbal said,”It takes time to strengthen institutions,
therefore democracy should be given time.”
He said politics of agitation and sit-ins was a hurdle in the
country’s stability and growth of institutions so constructive
politics should be done by all political parties.
He said national resources were looted in the past while the
incumbent government had taken a number of steps to utilize
sources with care. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif slashed
the size of Prime Minister House staff.
The minister said only politicians were easy target of
everyone to criticize for corruption while this menace existed in
other departments as well.
He said current cabinet consisted of highly qualified,
professional and competent members and they were doing well in
their areas.