News
Monday, December 19, 2011
No threat of military coup: Gilani: Conspiracies being hatched to avoid Senate elections
Staff Report
LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, terming his meeting with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as positive, on Sunday ruled out any fear of military coup, saying that there was no threat to democratic setup in the country. Talking to reporters after attending the wedding ceremony of known lawyer and human right activist Asma Jehangir’s daughter at a local hotel, the prime minister categorically made it clear that the future of democracy and democratic system was safe and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government would complete its tenure of five years.
It is worthy to mention here that PM seen quite relaxed and was enjoying his time being at a festive occasion. He said that they (government) would not do anything with the controversial memogate during its hearing in the Supreme Court today (Monday) as the lawyers would plead it there.
The prime minister rejected the idea of any possibility of an interim setup or a technocrats’ government in the near future and also said that there was no room for martial law. He said that the PPP fully believed in democracy and political forces including media, civil society and international community never contemplated or supported such anti-democracy ideas.
Gilani, while calling the memogate scandal a non-issue, said that all conspiracies by some elements against his party’s democratic government were aimed at avoiding Senate elections which would be held as per schedule in March next year.
He said that the memogate scandal was a non-issue and giving undue importance to the non-issues had put the country’s integrity at stake. Anyhow, he declared that the future of democracy in country was secure.
He said, “I had a good meeting with the army chief as it was for the cause of creating unity in the country.
Earlier, Abrarul Haq, a singer and social worker along with Malik Murad Abbas, Malik Arshad, Brig (r) Mumtaz Iqbal and Shahid Chaudhry called on prime minister at the State Guest House on Sunday morning and appreciated the government’s firm stand on the national security and dignity.
The delegation also extended full support for the cause of democracy, adding that the future of the nation is attached to the democratic dispensation. The prime minister appreciated their concern for democracy and assured that democracy will not only stay but will also get strengthened with every passing day.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk