News
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Gilani rejects SC role after NA speaker’s ruling* PM says Mirza’s ruling is final and can’t be challenged
* Says he doesn’t take threats of opposition seriously
* Few people cannot hold parliament hostage
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza’s ruling pertaining to the reference of his disqualification was final and could not be challenged, a private TV channel reported.
Speaking to the media, the prime minister said he would not take the opposition’s threats seriously, adding that it was constituted of people who had “nothing better to do than misleading people”.
He said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan were not members of parliament and that was why they could not understand its importance.
The prime minister said that parliament could not be “held hostage” by a handful of people.
“The prime minister is not important, it is parliament and the system that is important,” Gilani told reporters.
Criticising the Punjab government, the prime minister said that the provincial government was not working for the welfare of people and that the PML-N should be held accountable for its performance.
“They want to be in the government and at the same time they want to be in opposition.” Gilani said about the PML-N.
About resumption of the NATO supply line. Gilani said, “We will take a decision in the national interest… after the completion of our negotiations.”
The prime minister said that in view of the country’s growing demand for power, the present government had initiated several projects in the energy sector. These projects tap not only conventional but also the renewable energy resources, including wind, solar and biomass, he added.
“We are seeking international investment in this vital sector to build projects that can rid Pakistan of scourge of load shedding, which has so affected our economic growth,” Gilani said.
The prime minister also visited the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman.
Gilani said he had discussed issues related to the upcoming budget with Fazlur Rehman.
The prime minister said it was priority of the government to provide relief to the public in budget. He said the PPP and its allies had a two-thirds majority in parliament and every citizen wanted to listen to the budget speech.
He said the JUI-F chief had always played a positive role to support democracy and strengthening democratic institutions.
Fazlur Rehman said his party had always taken a serious and balanced stance on political issues.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk