News
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Allies, opposition come out to ‘rescue democracy’LAHORE: Confronted with the ominous prospect of the democratically elected government being sent packing home, the government, its allies and an until recently hostile opposition closed ranks and came out with a strong defence of democracy in the country and calls for ending the army and ISI’s role in politics.
President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain made telephonic contact and exchanged views on the prevailing political situation of the country. Expressing his grave concern over the tension between the key and sensitive institutions of the state, Altaf Hussain said that the country could not afford any confrontation among the institutions at present. “It is our duty to respect national security institutions,” he added. President Zardari, while agreeing with the views of MQM chief with reference to stability of democratic institutions, said the government would not take any step that causes harm to national interests.
Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) Friday backed the stance of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani that national institutions should remain within the ambit of constitution for the sake of democracy. This support was extended to the government when PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi called on the prime minister at the Prime Minister’s House. The PML-Q leaders said they wanted to see state institutions get stronger and complementing each other in the process of national integration and unity which, they said, were the need of the hour.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President, Nawaz Sharif, said that he was ready for dialogue with other political parties for a permanent end to role of army and ISI in politics. He said that for strengthening of democracy it was necessary that there should be no interference in the affairs of government by the army and ISI.
Parliamentarians called on Prime Minister Gilani on Friday and extended their full support to the prime minister on his clear message that “state within a state is not acceptable”, and all institutions should perform their responsibilities in accordance with the constitution. The parliamentarians stood firmly behind the premier for safeguarding and promoting democracy.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the prime minister was fighting a psychological war, and martial law will not be imposed in the country. Talking to media at the Parliament House on Friday, Fazlur Rehman said that there is a possibility of elections being held during 2012. He said all the political matters will have to be settled by the politicians and role of establishment in the affairs of the state must come to an end. staff report/agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk