KARACHI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE (National Times) Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that democracy is the true voice of the people, the shield of the weak, and the strength of the nation. He emphasized that democracy is the very soul of Pakistan’s national identity and the cornerstone of its progress.

According to the statement issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman, in his message on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy due tomorrow, said that democracy is not merely a form of governance but a solemn covenant between the people and their representatives — a pledge of justice, equality, freedom, and dignity. He added that true democracy ensures the active participation of citizens in the political process, promotes political diversity, and guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan’s democratic journey has been etched in the sacrifices of countless martyrs, foremost among them Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who gave their lives to uphold the people’s right to rule. He pointed out that under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, the previous PPP government fortified Parliament through the 18th Constitutional Amendment — a landmark achievement fully aligned with the spirit of the 1973 Constitution and a true triumph of democracy.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the nation to recognize that safeguarding democracy is a sacred duty upon every citizen and institution. He said that any compromise on democracy is, in essence, a compromise on the country’s future. In his message, he particularly called upon the youth of Pakistan to remain vigilant against all threats to democratic values and to actively contribute toward building an inclusive, just, and prosperous Pakistan.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the protection and strengthening of democracy, declared that the PPP will steadfastly continue its struggle for a democratic, peaceful, and progressive Pakistan, in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Party’s founding leaders, and the aspirations of the people. He affirmed, “The sacrifices of our democratic heroes will never be forgotten. Their courage continues to light our path, and their legacy reminds us that the true strength of Pakistan rests in the power of its people.”