ISLAMABAD, Sep 11 (Alliance News): Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, proposed revising and expanding the Charter of Democracy (CoD) during a speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
He highlighted that the historic CoD, initially signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, was designed to protect parliamentary democracy in Pakistan.
Asif acknowledged the challenges faced by the CoD over the years but praised political parties for avoiding the divisive politics of the 1990s.
He noted the unity displayed by all parliamentary parties during recent sit-ins and commended the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) for maintaining the CoD’s spirit.
Addressing recent political arrests, Asif criticized false charges against prominent leaders including Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, and others. Despite these issues, he emphasized that parliamentary supremacy was upheld.
Asif criticized remarks from a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally and comments by Ali Amin Gandapur about Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He urged that PTI leadership releases be handled through legal and judicial processes.
While supporting the opposition’s right to protest, Asif stressed that parliamentary discussions should focus on public interests rather than internal party conflicts.
He also expressed confidence in the government’s economic achievements and public trust restoration, urging a focus on democracy and respect for differing opinions without personal hostility.
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