ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): Federal Minister for Privatization, Syed Naveed Qamar said here on Wednesday that February 18, 2008 was the milestone in the country’s history of democracy. Talking to APP while commenting on the Day of Democracy, the federal minister said that this was the day when democratic forces were strengthened to lead the country towards progress and prosperity.

He stressed the need for collective efforts by all political parties to steer the country towards progress adding that all the political parties who struggled for the restoration of democracy must come together to work for the country’s interests and its betterment.

He said that outcome of the February 18, 2008 election was establishment of a democratic government in the country, adding that the current government has, to a great extent, come up to the expectations of the people by addressing their concerning issues.

He said that the government has taken several revolutionary steps including introducing accountability in the parliament, lifting ban on laobur unions,regularizing the services of contractual employees to address the issues of common man.

On economic front, the current government has prudently coped with the problems at a time when the whole world was hit by recession adding that economicindicators have been showing positive trends and inflation was coming down.

The government also provided safety net to the poor by launching Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) which has now started bringing fruits for the vulnerable population.

It may be recalled that February 18 was celebrated as Day of Democracy all across the country, marking completion of one year of the revival of democracy.