NAUDERO: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said that many forces were hatching conspiracies against democracy and hoped that the real democracy would flourish in the country with the support of people.

Addressing a gathering here on the eve of 34th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the President said, “We took bold decisions in the larger interest of the country and people, and to secure the future of our coming generations despite so many challenges.”

President Zardari said that the PPP government had proved that only democracy was a panacea to all problems and the people were conscious, who could not be betrayed through any drama.

Paying glowing tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the President said that today the entire world acknowledged the philosophy of Quaid-e-Awam, who empowered the downtrodden segments of the society and gave the country a unanimous 1973 Constitution.

He said that he preferred to write history instead of remaining mere in media headlines.

The PPP had made the history by transferring all powers to the elected prime minister and the Parliament, which was tantamount to empowering the people. It was the PPP's policy that the power rested with the people.

The President said that during the last five years, the PPP- led coalition government put the country on the right path. But some of the opponents were giving the expression that the country's economy was weak, which was totally wrong as multinational companies were investing in the stock market.

He said that the PPP government maintained good regional relations.

He added that there were political differences but not personal enmity with any one that was why that there was no political prisoner in the country as on today.

Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while speaking to the gathering, said that it was Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who gave Constitution to the country, empowered the poor, made Pakistan's defence impregnable by making it an atomic power, but he was judicially murdered by an army dictator.

Then his daughter Shaheed Benazir Bhutto pursued his mission but she was also implicated in false cases and her brothers were martyred. But the two leaders were still alive in people's hearts, he added.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the energy policy of his mother not discontinued the country would not have been facing power crisis today.

He said that after martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto, President Zardari raised the slogan of 'Pakistan Khapey' when the country's solidarity was in danger. He continued the policy of his leaders and fought for the rights of the people, he added.

Bilawal said that the PPP Government restored the 1973 Constitution and parliament's powers, gave provincial autonomy, announced 7th NFC Award, besides media freedom and women rights.

He said that the country had been made self-sufficient in food. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and handing over of Gwadar Port to China were the landmark achievements of the PPP government.

Bilawal said that the PPP workers were the real asset of the party and they would continue the mission of their leaders.

Later, a two-minute silence was observed, followed by Dua and Fateha for the departed soul of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.