Rawalpindi/Islamabad – September 15, 2025: The Leader of the Shia Community in Pakistan, Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi, stated that while the world is observing International Day of Democracy, Gaza is being crushed before the eyes of the United Nations and the global community, and the oppression in the West Bank shows no signs of stopping. He added that India’s conduct in South Asia is trampling fundamental human rights, yet it is conveniently ignored. He stressed that the democracy practiced worldwide is essentially a capitalist system, with some aspects that could be beneficial if reformed.
Quaid emphasized that the fundamental principle of democracy is “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” but in Pakistan and many other countries, this idea remains only on paper. He pointed out that every general election held so far has been questionable, as democracy has been used as a shield for vested interests, while basic human rights and freedom of expression remain unresolved issues.
In his message on International Day of Democracy, he explained that the purpose of the day is to support democracies globally and promote democratic initiatives within countries — a tradition that began in 2008. The real question, he noted, is whether any practical steps have been taken. Observations, he said, reveal that vested interests have often supported authoritarian regimes instead of democratic systems.
Expressing regret over Pakistan’s state of democracy, Syed said that supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, primacy of parliament, and respect for public opinion are missing, adding that electoral transparency remains questionable. Without ensuring this, he warned, democracy cannot flourish. He also noted that fear, restrictions on basic rights, and curbs on media persist — all of which are anti-democratic practices.
concluded by stressing that respecting public opinion is the need of the hour, and that only by implementing this principle can the country progress and join the ranks of developed nations. He further highlighted that Islam itself advocates governance through mutual consultation and collective decision-making.
