No threat to democracy in Pakistan: President Arif Alvi

The President appreciated various steps taken against corruption by the government and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

By APP
March 20, 2019

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said there was no threat to democracy in the country, which had rather stabilized as all the state institutions were performing their duties for nation building.

He, however, said polarization in the Parliament must end while the present government would not compromise on the issue of corruption.

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The President appreciated various steps taken against corruption by the government and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“If we compare the performance of present government with the previous two regimes, more bills have been introduced in the National Assembly during the last four months," he said in an interview with a private television channel.

To a question about the bill passed by the Punjab Assembly regarding raise in the salary, allowances, perks and privileges of assembly members, ministers and chief minister, Dr Alvi said it was against the narrative of Prime Minister Imran Khan about austerity.

He said the Prime Minister in his reaction on the issue had said that in the present circumstances the country’s economic situation did not allow such kind of move.

To another question, the President denied any possibility to roll back the 18th Constitutional Amendment as it manifested the 1973 Constitution.

However, there was a need to improve it further, he added.

To a query, he said today there were historic civil-military relations and it was evident from the release of Indian pilot.

The President said he was trying to create awareness about non-political issues, such as women inheritance matters.

“By giving women their rightful share in inheritance according to the injunctions of Islam, we can make them economically independent and that will be a vital step towards their empowerment.

“He said the media had also a great role to highlight the issue and help the government through social change.

He would write a letter to PEMRA to bound the television channels to air such issues in their dramas for a social change in the society, he added.

To a question, the President said the government was taking various steps for socio-economic development of the country.

Foreign investment was pouring in and the time was not far away when Pakistan would be economically stable.

He said malnutrition, infants’ mortality, and stunted growth of children had been the most serious health issues which had been neglected deliberately over the past four decades.

He urged the media to play its role in that regard and sensitize the society about the important health issues.

He said cleanliness was half of Muslim faith and urged the importance of brushing the teeth many times a day to prevent bacterial infections and dental diseases.

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