Islamabad, 11th September, 2017: The resolution presented by Senator Sehar Kamran (TI) calling upon the government to take steps to promote and develop democratic culture in the country, which includes setting up a National Democracy Commission as envisaged in the 2006 Charter of Democracy to promote and develop democratic culture in the country was accepted in the Senate of Pakistan today.
The lengthy resolution called upon the government to make “democratic civic education” a compulsory part of curriculum and educational activities in the country. It also asked the government to include “the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution along with an unbiased account of constitutional and democratic developments in Pakistan in the textbooks”.
Senator Sehar Kamran appreciated the minister for not opposing the resolution. She said there is no doubt that for the promotion of democratic norms, it is necessary that human rights, democratic principles and parliamentary parties are made part of the school curriculum. She stated that for raising moral and responsible citizens, civic education is vital.
Senator Kamran said that it is vital to save the youth of Pakistan from the menace of social evils and the outfits of violent extremism and terrorism. Only with the induction of democratic civic education in the curriculum, a real change can be brought in the country, she added.
Senator Sehar Kamran further said that the formation of a National Democracy Commission as mentioned in her resolution was envisioned by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. She said it is an honour for me to take an initiative in order to fulfil Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s vision. She stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always stood for the promotion of democratic cultures and norms in the country and this resolution is a part of that commitment.
Same version of the article appeared in BBC Urdu