'Continuity of political process must to strengthen democracy'
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Deputy Speaker National Assembly Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Saturday said that continuity of political process is the only way to strengthen democratic institutions in the country.
He said the frequent removal of elected governments had weakened the democratic institutions in past but now the process is moving in right direction.
He said first time in the history of country, the assemblies at each level would complete their tenure adding if the process is allowed to sustain for more 2-3 tenures the democracy would get strong roots.
Whatsoever the other motives be, major cause for the collapse of political governments in the past was inability on part of leadership, he said.
To a question he said that every country has its own environment and culture for setting up a democratic system and in Pakistan's condition the present set up is suitable.
Country has put on path to durable and strong democracy and it complies on the political leadership to play its due role to reach the destination, he said.
He said the devolution programme is a bold initiative by the present government which will help strengthen the democracy at grassroots level.
The media has been given unprecedented freedom in the country and the peoples' voice is heard with patience and tolerance at all the forums.
These are very positive indicators which in the long run would help establish a tolerant and democratic society, he observed.
To another question he said, functioning of the parliament has substantially improved by the return of educated members. Yaqub Nasir said that corruption has been totally eliminated at top level and efforts are on to eliminate it at bottom too.
However the real remedy of this menace lies in the strength of democracy and the process is moving in that direction, he added.