The 17th anniversary of the historic Charter of Democracy, signed by former Prime Minister in exile Nawaz Sharif and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in 2006, was observed. The document envisioned establishment of a new political system of harmony and reconciliation in Pakistan with the aim to ensure continuity of a strong democratic system.
Setting aside differences of the past, the two mainstream parties, the PML-N and the PPP had adopted the thirty-six point COD, declaring that they would respect electoral mandate of representative governments and that they shall not undermine each other through extra constitutional ways.
Under the Charter, they pledged that no party shall solicit the support of military to come into power or to dislodge a democratic government. The significant features of the CoD were constitutional amendments, code of conduct, free and fair elections and civil-military relations. It is a detailed document, covering most aspects which had been hampering the growth of democracy in Pakistan.—INP
