Yousuf Raza Gilani hints at ‘difficult’ decisions
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Gilani talking to media persons at PM House on Sunday. – Photo by APP
LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the judiciary’s top priority is the strengthening of the democratic system and he will take “difficult decisions” if larger national interest required him to do so.
“Let me make it clear that the judiciary wants democracy in the country and its top priority is to strengthen it. We will strengthen all institutions and continue with the politics of reconciliation,” the prime minister said while talking to journalists at his residence here on Sunday.
Mr Gilani said he would take a decision in accordance with the law after receiving an “authentic and verified” list of beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
“The law ministry, NAB and the establishment division are verifying the list of NRO beneficiaries. The decision will be in accordance with the law,” he said in reply to a question about the future of some ministers.
“Let me make it clear that the judiciary wants democracy in the country and its top priority is to strengthen it. We will strengthen all institutions and continue with the politics of reconciliation,” the prime minister said while talking to journalists at his residence here on Sunday.
Mr Gilani said he would take a decision in accordance with the law after receiving an “authentic and verified” list of beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
“The law ministry, NAB and the establishment division are verifying the list of NRO beneficiaries. The decision will be in accordance with the law,” he said in reply to a question about the future of some ministers.
“I will take difficult decisions if these are in the larger interest of the nation.”
Prime Minister Gilani, who appeared cool and composed, regretted that some elements were trying to politicise the army. “The Pakistan Army is pro-democracy and highly professional. Efforts were made to make my (Sept 27) meeting with the president and the army chief controversial. The meeting was scheduled earlier and convened after the hearing of the NRO case in the Supreme Court,” he said.
“We also met afterwards but did not release a photograph to avoid speculations. We regularly meet on national issues. All media reports about what was discussed in the Sept 27 meeting are false,” he said.
He said a decision about writing to the Swiss authorities for reopening cases against President Asif Zardari would be taken after the court’s decision on the review petition in the NRO case.
Replying to a question, he said that Oct 13, the next date of hearing, would also pass, adding that there was no threat to his government and it would complete its term.
The prime minister rejected a perception that his government was under ‘pressure’ to take drastic steps to improve the economy, implement the apex court’s decisions and reduce the size of the cabinet.
He said Nato had apologised for violating Pakistan’s air space and killing security personnel and the government would allow the forces’ supplies to continue after “security clearance”.
The prime minister admitted that inflation and incidents of suicides had not been controlled.
“Political stability is needed for economic stability. Pakistan has been badly hit by global recession. Besides, there are the war on terror and the electricity issue,” he said.
He said the winding up of Pepco was part of the restructuring of the sector and slab rates would be fixed for users whose consumption of electricity was low.
Mr Gilani said he had good relations PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and he did not need an invitation to meet him.
He parried all questions about former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.
He said PML leader Pir Pagara would continue to support his government.
The prime minister said his government had implemented 27 out of 32 points of PPP’s manifesto.
0 Response to "Yousuf Raza Gilani hints at ‘difficult’ decisions"
Post a Comment