Time and again in various forums, President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated that Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life for democracy; that it has always been the tradition of the Bhutto family to suffer and sacrifice for democracy; that it was the PPP that “overthrew the dictator, restored democracy and made the first part of her dream a reality!”

Sorry to say but which democracy are we talking about here a democracy in which the President is armed with draconian powers under 58(2)(b) to dissolve an elected assembly; dismiss a prime minister, who enjoys the confidence of the National Assembly, with a mere stroke of his pen?

How can it be said that dictatorship has been wiped out when the 17th Amendment still exists?

If the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is really being followed, then why has there been a year-long delay in restoration of the 1973 constitution of Z.A. Bhutto?

Mr President is this the democracy for which Bhutto went to the gallows and Benazir sacrificed her life?

M. PEERBHOY
Karachi