Vice Chairman PPP and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani addresses a seminar on Clash of Institution and Sustainability of Democracy organized by SAFMA on Saturday. – Photo by APP

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister and Vice Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that political stability is key to strengthen the country’s economy.

Addressing a seminar on “Clash of Institutions and Sustainability of Democracy” arranged by SAFMA here on Saturday, he said that in future coalition governments would be formed in the country, which would not work without the politics of reconciliation.

He said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had given the country the 1973 Constitution. Had there been no constitution, it would have been very difficult to keep the country intact, he added.

The former premier said that he had made the commitment to his leader in 1987 that that he would restore the constitution in its original form. He was proud that the constitution had been restored and they always respected the institutions.

He said that they had sacrificed and worked very carefully to secure the system.

Gilani said that the present government had made all the amendments in the constitution to restore it in its original form and it was his desire that the assembly completed its tenure.

The PPP leader said that President Asif Ali Zadari had voluntarily transferred all his powers       to the Parliament.

The party stalwart said that it was the dream to make the people powerful and in future decision making would be done by the people and not by any institution. “What I did was to safeguard the constitution as it was my responsibility according to the oath which I had taken,” he added.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Waseem Akhtar, on the occasion said that all institutions should work within their parameters as their clash could harm democracy.

He said that the feudal mindset should be eliminated, and then good people could reach the parliament.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal said that when societies go through transitional phase the people face similar problems which Pakistan is faced with.

He said that the democratic system after its revival from dictatorial rule needs time to get strengthened.

He said that all institutions should gain trust of the people for their survival.

Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ahsan Wayne, Dr Waseem, Hamid Khan, Iftikhar, Hussain Naqi and Arif Nizami also spoke on the occasion.