I truly appreciate the realization on the part of the United Nations to declare September 15 as International Day of Democracy. It is also important to know that it is not enough just to promote democracy - it is imperative also to discuss, evaluate and explore the dynamics and dimensions of democracy.

It is also essential that civil society organizations and the media take responsibility and action to influence the agenda of the International Day of Democracy, making sure that the debate reflects issues relevant to the various parts of the population, including the marginalized and poor people.

I therefore urge all of you participating in the Global Democracy Day Initiative, to take action and to mark the International Day of Democracy and make sure to involve civil society organization in the process.

In 1947, Pakistan came into being through a democratic struggle under the statesmanlike leadership of Quaid-i-Azam. Unfortunately, democracy was never allowed to function independently by the non-democratic forces in the country. Shaheed Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto was the leader who fought for the cause of true democracy in the country and laid down his life while striving for this objective.  The Pakistan Peoples Party has a long history of struggle for the strengthening of democracy in the country at the grass-roots level and no one can deny the sagacity and statesmanship of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who also sacrificed her life for the democratic rights of the people of Pakistan.

The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to all of us to review the state of democracy in the world, particularly in the third world countries. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. I must stress: Democracy is a process, everywhere in history and on the earth. Everywhere, there has been two steps forward, one step back. The process is necessarily slow, but always forward. Democracy has the remarkable vision to learn from its mistakes. But it learns.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the General Assembly in 1948, clearly projected the concept of democracy by stating “the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government.” The declaration spells out the rights that are essential for effective political participation.

Since its adoption, the Declaration has inspired constitution-making around the world and has contributed greatly to the global acceptance of democracy as a universal value.

I have a strong belief that democracy is the best system that has so far been evolved in human history as it not only addresses peoples’ concerns but it gives the opportunity to the people to freely express their will to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of life. And that “while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region.”

Democracy as everyone knows is an ancient concept, dating back 2,500 years to the Athenian city-state.  But democratic ideals did not take root in the modern world until the late 18^th century.  Since that time, this powerful system for social and political organization has spread around the globe and takes as many different forms as there are democratic countries.  One thing remains constant, however: a respect for all citizens’ right to participate in decisions about how they are governed.

Towards the end, I fully endorsed the statement made by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that “democratization is not a spectator sport. And it is more akin to a marathon than a sprint. It is a long struggle that must be waged by individual citizens, myriad communities and entire nations. It is deeply significant that this Day was brought into being by countries which are themselves working hard every day to nurture and consolidate their young democratic foundations.”