News
Friday, January 27, 2012
Army fully supports democracy: Gilani* PM rules out danger to democracy
* Says all institutions working within ambit of constitution
* Discusses bilateral ties with leaders of Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Denmark
DAVOS: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has brushed aside any dangers to democracy, whatsoever, since “both masses and the army fully support democracy”.
In an interview with BBC, the PM said that the government enjoyed good relations with all institutions, including the army, and strongly rejected the notion of any rebellion by the army.
Gilani also expressed his deep respect for the judiciary, reminding that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had struggled for restoration of the judiciary, and freeing judges under house arrest.
He also said that when the Supreme Court summoned him, he responded straight ahead to the summons, as it was his constitutional duty to do so. Responding to a question regarding his earlier statement about ‘a state within a state’, PM Gilani said that after thorough investigations, the secretary defence was sacked, while he also expressed his deep desire to have conducive relations with America, based on equal and mutual respect and friendship.
Reminding that both Pakistan and the US enjoyed cordial relations since the last 60 years, he said that relationships always had their ups and downs.
He also said that the issue of resumptions of NATO supplies had been entrusted on parliament.
Gilani rejected any perception of a clash between the state institutions and said all stakeholders favoured democracy in the country.
Regarding any threat from judiciary and military, he said, “I don’t think so”, adding that it could be a perception but in reality it was not true.
Talking to reporters after his interview with the BBC, Gilani said since several things were happening at the same time, it was being felt that there was some kind of a clash.
About his meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI Director General Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, prior to his departure for the World Economic Forum, Gilani said it focused on security matters related to Afghanistan and was also attended by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
To a question about Mansoor Ijaz’s refusal to visit Pakistan, Gilani said he was summoned by the court, and he was not in a position to offer any comments as the matter was sub judice.
To a question about PTI chief Imran Khan, said he did not participate in the last general elections and never succeeded in even by-elections, and it seemed his party line that they would not contest the general elections.
Earlier participating in an interactive session on ‘Adapting to Climate Risk’ that focused on how communities, companies and countries were adapting to the risks presented by climate change, at the annual 2012 World Economic Forum, Gilani told the participants, “We strongly feel that the world must come together with renewed vigour.”
Terming climate changes a “real danger”, he called for a global approach for responding to climate risks as developing countries were vulnerable and unable to cope on their own with natural calamities that caused massive losses to lives and property.
Separately, talking to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Gilani said two-way trade between the two countries was only $11.55 million that was far below their potential.
Talking to Swiss Confederation President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, the prime minister called for institutional support to enhance bilateral trade ties between Pakistan and Switzerland.
He said that Pakistan provided lucrative investment opportunities and there was a need to encourage business-to-business contacts between private sectors of the two countries.
Gilani also met Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and stressed the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with Denmark, and emphasised the need for deeper bilateral collaboration in trade, investment and energy fields. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk