ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari has asked the nation to reaffirm their commitment to making the country a democratic, progressive and a welfare-driven liberal state instead of one guided by theocracy or driven by paranoid.

He said this in a message on the eve of the Quaid-i-Azam’s 69th death anniversary.

“Welfare of the people is the best way to ensure national integration, social cohesion and consequently the security of the country,” said Mr Zardari on Sunday.

“On the eve of the Quaid’s death anniversary, we reiterate the pledge to adhere to the principles of the state laid down by Mr Jinnah himself,” said the former president said, adding that now more than ever before “we need a narrative that rejects the militant ideology and inculcates a spirit of tolerance and dissent”.

According to Mr Zardari, fighting the militant mindset called for freedom of expression embedded in the law to freely propagate alternate narratives.

“It calls for building an intellectual infrastructure resting on the foundations of free inquiry, free debate not only in academic institutions but as a way of life,” he said.

The former president also paid homage to those who laid down their lives and rendered huge sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan as well as preserving democracy, constitutionalism and in fighting the militancy.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2017