News
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Democracy strong and functioning well: PM* Gilani says PML-N, judiciary, all others supporting democracy, no negative thinking exists in country
* CJP will extend ‘warm welcome’ to Musharraf if he returns
* Politics of reconciliation to resolve country’s problems
* Rules out possibility of mid-term elections
* United efforts needed to mitigate sufferings of flood victimsMULTAN: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said that democracy was strong and functioning well in the country.
He said this while talking to reporters after visited the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior vice president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi to inquire about his health.
“Democracy is strong, the judiciary is functioning independently, political parties are active and parliament is taking decisions with consensus in the country. Such thinking (that there is still any possibility of martial law) is undemocratic and criminal,” the PM said.
“PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, the judiciary and all others are in support of democracy and no negative thinking exists in the country,” Gilani added.
Responding to a question about former president Gen (r) Musharraf’s return to the country, the PM said he did not know when Musharraf would return. “However, I do know that there are many cases against him (Musharraf) and whenever he does return, the chief justice will be there to give him a warm welcome,” the PM said.
The prime minister also ruled out the possibility of mid-term elections. “Elections are still far away and those who wish to test our popularity can do so through by-elections. I had already stated it earlier and am saying it now that those who are in a hurry for election will have to wait,” the PM said.
To a question about the country’s political future, Gilani said, “I foresee a coalition government in future as well. It seems difficult for a single party to gain the decisive majority.”
Responding to reports about political pressure to breach embankments in the flood-affected areas, the prime minister said that provincial governments should hold judicial inquiries to ascertain whether any such incident occurred.
He said that the people had so far deposited Rs 4 billion in the PM’s Relief Fund, while another Rs 1 billion were donated by cellular phone users.
“Friendly countries including China, the European Union, the United States, Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, some other Muslim countries have extended support to Pakistan in this testing time and we are thankful to them,” the PM said.
To a question about the construction of the Kalabagh Dam, Gilani said that he was not opposed to the project. However, he added consensus among all the provinces was “a must” before building any major water reservoir.
Later, while addressing a gathering in Multan, the PM said that politics of reconciliation would resolve the problems of the country.
“We want everybody, including the opposition, to be taken onboard on all important issues because unity among political forces is a recipe for resolving the country’s problems,” Gilani said. app/daily times monitor
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk