Democracy rooted in public service: PA Speaker

LAHORE:The foundation of democracy lies in the power of the people's vote, and this power can only be effective when the general public is provided with basic facilities like health, education, employment, and justice, said Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Ahmad Khan.

It is the responsibility of policymakers to present practical suggestions for national development while keeping ground realities in mind, and to strengthen state institutions with better strategies, the speaker added in a statement.

According to a press release issued here on Thursday, these views were expressed by Speaker Punjab Assembly Muhammad Ahmad while addressing an international democracy conference held at a private university here. On this occasion, he emphasised that social media should be used for promoting the national narrative and raising public awareness, so that positive thinking and responsible behaviour can be promoted in society.

He said that in the development of nations, not only governments but every individual, every institution, and every segment has an equal role to play, and ‘we must recognise our collective responsibility and play our part.’

Later, while talking to the media, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said Pakistan is a nuclear power. The Armed Forces of Pakistan are an institution to be proud of whose professional skills and history of national service make the entire nation proud.

‘We will not tolerate any kind of negligence or slackness in matters of our independence, the protection of Pakistan, and its security,’ he said and termed India’s allegations of terrorism as baseless and harmful for regional peace and said that Pakistan has always adopted a responsible political approach, and the purpose of these baseless accusations without evidence is to weaken Pakistan's positive role at the global level.

Referring to the Jaffer Express incident, he said that Pakistan’s sacrifices and strategy in the war against terrorism are exemplary. Teachers, students, civil society, and media representatives from various universities participated in the conference, and the speakers expressed their views on democracy, governance, social media, and human rights.