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PM reaffirm to maintain supremacy of Parliament, ask NRO beneficiaries to resign
ISLAMABAD, Sept 24 (APP): Reaffirming to maintain supremacy of the Constitution and the Parliament, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that his government respected the courts and would implement their decisions. But, he underlined the need for all institutions to work within their constitutional limits and said respect of every institution was obligatory including the Parliament. “All powers are derived through the Parliament and the Parliament has to decide which institution should enjoy what powers.”“The Parliament has also granted powers to all institutions as well as immunity to the President through the Constitution. If the Parliament desires to withdraw any powers from any institution including the immunity, it can,” he added.
The Prime Minister said one week earlier he had sought the list of NRO beneficiaries and asked the Attorney General and the Law Ministry to scrutinize, authenticate and certify the list so no name is left over and status of each case has been clearly indicated.
“I would also ask all NRO beneficiaries holding the government positions and assignments to voluntarily resign from their positions. I have also directed the Law Ministry to furnish its views and recommendations on the matter,” the Prime Minister said.
Yusuf Raza Gilani said two and half years had already passed and if the Parliament wanted to decide on withdrawal of immunity, it should go ahead. “We should give respect to institutions. But, giving respect to institutions does not mean to respect only the judiciary. And what about the Parliament and other institutions. Therefore, we respect all institutions but under the ambit of Constitution.”
He said the Constitution has been framed by the Parliament and among 442 members of both Houses, none opposed it as well as immunity. “The whole nation is behind you and witnessing what you are doing. Let us ensure respect of Parliament and Parliamentarians.”
He said whenever there is interference into democratic system, people bear with dictators for ten years. “But do not tolerate the elected representatives. I am not saying there is any conspiracy. But, I want to say why they always criticize you. If anybody has a complaint, the courts are free. Please you can go to the courts.”
“We have been facing courts earlier and shall face again. But, you do not ridicule your own class and institutions,” he said and mentioned a cartoon depicting some politicians and a section of media is searching for an invisible change. “For this invisible, we are running after a black cat in the darkroom.”
“We should not be used for dictators, we should respect all institutions. This country was created by politicians who also framed its Constitution and made the nation a nuclear power,” he said. “These are politicians again who forged unity to fight against terrorism and amended Constitution to its original form,” he said.
Gilani complimented the Parliament for achieving milestones like NFC Award, 18th Constitutional Amendment and restoration of 1973 Constitution.
“We also need an Award from the nation. But, when we shall be criticized severely, people may think we have not delivered,” he said.
Gilani said when the courts reverted Federal Secretaries, we respected the court verdict. “I was asked should we go for review or not. I took half a second and said we will not go for review and respected the decision of the court. Although defending bureaucracy is also our responsibility, yet we accepted the court decision.”
“I also formulated the rules in view of the court observation for promotion of bureaucrats and for the first time I imposed restriction on myself. We followed the rules, and these rules shall be for the future Chief Executives as well,” he said.
When the court advised to send Kamran Lashari to jail and take action against him, Gilani recorded, “with all fairness I said there should be a committee to look into it whether a senior most Grade-22 officer may be condemned unheard.”
The earlier committee did not give a fair chance to listen to him and he was not even called, he added.
Then, he said, the court decision came and I withdrew Lashari from the post of Chief Secretary. “But, I said he cannot be condemned unheard and have constituted an inquiry committee.”
“We respected the court decisions and shall continue doing so,” he said and also mentioned calling back Director General Hajj Makkah on complaints against him.
He said the constitution gives powers to the Chief Executive, the Parliament and the judiciary and the ‘Parliament may determine who will enjoy which powers as these powers are derived through the Parliament. If you do not want to give any powers to any institution, you can amend the constitution. That is your prerogative.’
He said the President, the Senate and the National Assembly constitute the parliament. “And if any of its pillars will be missing, will it be a complete Parliament.”
Gilani said the President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and a symbol of federation. “How can you say on one hand that daughter of the nation be brought back and say on the other to remove one part of the Parliament. You have granted him powers to enjoy immunity under the constitution.”
“Now it is up to you whom you grant to enjoy what powers and withdraw which powers,” Gilani said.
Courtesy www.app.com.pk