Islamabad: President Asif Zardari on Wednesday said May 9, 2023 will always be remembered as a dark day in the history of Pakistan.
In a speech on the first anniversary of the uprising, the president condemned the violence, saying the tragic incident only tarnished the country’s image, serving the interests of Pakistan’s enemies.
He called the mob attack an attempt to challenge government records, undermine the rule of law and weaken institutions. He said those responsible for the May 9 violence must be brought to justice according to the law.
The President said that peaceful demonstrations and constructive criticism are at the heart of democracy and that the Constitution provides fundamental rights to assembly and expression.
However, he stressed the importance of “respecting these rights with the utmost responsibility and within the limits of constitutional and legal provisions.” “Any attempt to abuse these rights to incite violence will not be tolerated,” he said.
“We have not seen such brutality in a responsible democracy, where violent mobs have destroyed state property for political gain,” the president said. He said Pakistan was proud of the organizations that took the lead in protecting the armed forces and their organizations from various threats.
Zardari said that Pakistan is facing many problems and the irresponsible actions of the political powers are not only hindering the progress achieved as a nation but also exacerbating socio-economic problems.
“The current political situation requires all political parties to work to promote tolerance, democratic values and political dialogue, and show a clear direction to the public,” he said. upholding the rule of law.
The President also condemned malicious social media campaigns against government agencies and said mechanisms should be developed to check and counter such disinformation campaigns.
He called on the youth to use their potential for the benefit of the country without pushing government institutions. He also called for collective efforts to build a better future for future generations and eradicate political polarization and hatred.
