News
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Punjab govt’s long march unacceptable: Gilani
* PM says long march will amount to treason
* PML-N, PTI competing with each other to prove themselves real opposition
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said no province could launch a long march against the federal government as it was unconstitutional and unjustified, and would amount to treason.
The PM was speaking in a TV programme, “Prime Minister Online”, jointly telecast by PTV and a private TV channel.
To a question regarding the long march announced by the Punjab government, the PM said such an act would be considered “treason” as it would be a step by the provincial government against the federal government. “It is totally unacceptable.”
Referring to the attitude of PML-N leaders, he said they had no principles. The PML-N and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are making statements against the PPP without any justification, he added.
“I have full support of all the coalition partners and the long march will not be supported by other political parties,” he said.
He said it was election year and both the PML-N and PTI were trying to compete with each other in criticising the government, and portray themselves as the real opposition.
Regarding the government-judiciary clash, Gilani categorically stated that there was no question of confrontation with the judiciary and he would exercise his right to appeal in the contempt of court case.
He said the detailed verdict of the court is yet to come and the PML-N was hasty in demanding his resignation. He said he would have resigned if he had been charged of moral or financial corruption, but he had been convicted for following the constitution.
He said when he was summoned to the Supreme Court for the decision, he was mentally prepared to go to Adiala Jail.
He said there was absolutely no clash with courts, as the decision would be implemented after due course that also included the right to appeal.
“I want to use my right of appeal which is also being accepted by the chief justice of the Supreme Court,” he added. He said even the chief election commission had been told to “wait for the detailed judgement before taking any decision on the short order of the Supreme Court”.
“I followed the rules and procedures for not writing a letter to the Swiss court and it was in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Law,” he said.
The PM said elections would be held on time and the government was not feeling any threat from opposition parties even if they got togetherCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk