”I am pleased to learn that the first International Day of Democracy is being observed throughout the world today under the auspices of the United Nations to assess the state of democracy around the world.

”The observance of the first International Democracy Day this year coincides with the restoration of representative government in Pakistan following elections and restoration of the Presidency to democratic governance.

”The ethos of the people of Pakistan is democratic. Our people are resolute in safeguarding their democratic rights and rejecting the anti democracy elements that derail the democratic process. Our people may have endured spells of dictatorship due to coercion but they have neither accepted nor
accorded legitimacy to dictatorship. That is why all Bonaparte and adventurers in Pakistan finally ended up in the dustbin of history.

”Democracy is much more than merely holding of elections. It encompasses rule of law, constitutionalism, independence of the judiciary and freedoms of the media to name only a few of the attributes. It is a journey and a struggle that must be waged by individual citizens, communities and indeed by nations.

”The state of democracy in any country depends on whether rule of law and constitutionalism reigns supreme or not. It is unfortunate that measured with this yardstick some countries and societies will still be found lacking in democracy.

”It is hoped that the observance of the International Democracy Day will lend strength to the pro-democracy forces throughout the world and discourage potential Bonaparte from curbing the aspirations of the people through political adventurism”.