On Independence Day Zardari warns of attacks on constitution

14 August, 2012

Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 14. On the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari while extending his heartiest felicitations to people, called upon them to strengthen the democracy for a progressive, tolerant, moderate and modern Pakistan.

PRESIDENT ZARDARI stated in his message, "While it is natural to rejoice today in our independence celebrations, it is also an occasion to pause and ponder over whether we have moved towards or away from the ideals for which Pakistan was created."

While stressing the contribution of Bhutto family in the democratization of Pakistan, Zardari said that countless lives were sacrificed for the achievement of these ideals, including that of the country's first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Muslim world's first elected woman Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

In his message, Zardari cautioned that the people and the Parliament needed be watchful against new forms of assaults on the Constitution and the Parliament.

While condemning all forms of bigotry, extremism and militancy, he urged the people of Pakistan to adhere to the principle of political choices by ballet and not bullet.