ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNA Shafqat Mahmood on Friday said that the isolated leadership of the ruling party and hereditary politics can be a threat to democracy while the electoral reforms will strengthen the democratic system in the country.
Commenting in the Lower House on the Finance Bill 2014, containing the annual budget statement, the PTI member said that it is an alarming situation the prime minister is not available to cabinet members and that it takes three to six months to take approval of development projects from the PM.
“Why is the government unable to bring transparency in its affairs and again 'threats to democracy' theory is under debate,” he questioned?
Mahmood said that it is the PML-N's track record to trigger a tussle with state institutions and individuals.
"Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Gen Asif Nawaz, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Jahangir Karamat and Gen Musharraf are a few glimpses of this history," he pointed out.
“Now again history is being repeated,” he added.
Mahmood said that it is difficult to understand why nearly 28 institutions are still being kept headless.
"Such a style of governance can be a threat to democracy," he said.
He further stated that the demand for rights should not be considered as a threat to the system.
Later, PML-N MNA Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar asked the Speaker National Assembly to continue the debate on an issue taken up by Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Thursday regarding threats to the democratic system.
Shaista Pervez Malik suggested the government should announce a special scheme for students living in far flung areas, which could allow them to get an education as well.
PML-N MNA Syed Javed Ali Shah pleaded for incentives for farmers and welfare programme for the poor.
He said democracy should be promoted in all circumstances for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
MQM MNA Muzzamal Hussain Queeshi, PTI MNA Lal Chand Malhi, Mian Muhammad Farooq and PTI MNA Gulzar Khan also participated in the budget debate and showed their concerns regarding the budget for the next fiscal year.