Islamabad, September 14, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan’s democratic system is founded on the principles of equality, justice, freedom, respect for the will of the people and the rule of law.
In his message on the International Day of Democracy, observed annually on September 15, the Prime Minister said the day provided an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to fundamental democratic values, safeguard human dignity and uphold the rule of law.
He said authority in a democratic system was exercised through elected representatives for the welfare and well-being of the people, while Parliament, as the central democratic institution, embodied their voice and aspirations.
The Prime Minister said the Constitution of Pakistan provided the legal framework governing relations between the state and citizens. Article 25 guaranteed equal rights to all citizens and equality before the law, while the Constitution also defined the respective roles of the federating units and safeguarded the constitutional status of national institutions.
He said Pakistan’s federal parliamentary democratic system entrusted Parliament with the responsibility of legislating in the public interest and in accordance with Islamic principles.
“In view of the evolving demands of the contemporary era, formulating laws in accordance with public aspirations and the needs of the people is among the fundamental responsibilities of Parliament,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that addressing contemporary challenges and securing a prosperous future required steadfast efforts to uphold and strengthen fundamental democratic values serving as the foundation of public welfare.
He said the Constitution clearly affirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring the full participation of women in all spheres of national life, with reserved seats in federal and provincial legislatures to ensure their effective representation.
The Prime Minister said the state was also committed to safeguarding the rights, interests and legitimate concerns of minorities, with reserved seats for non-Muslim citizens in federal and provincial legislatures.
At the international level, he said Pakistan remained cognizant of its international obligations and fully supported democratic principles. He added that Pakistan was undertaking concerted efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, including the promotion of democracy, peace and justice and the development of strong and effective institutions.
The Prime Minister called for reaffirming the collective resolve to promote democratic values in line with the finest parliamentary traditions, protect citizens’ fundamental rights and build a prosperous future for Pakistan.
