News
Monday, September 27, 2010
SC cannot amend constitution: PM
* Gilani says only parliament can rewrite constitution
* No one will be allowed to enter through backdoor
* Change in govt only possible through constitutional means
* Media will suffer most if change comes through undemocratic ways
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: It is only parliament that can amend the constitution, not the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Sunday.
Talking to senior editors and anchorpersons, Gilani said only parliament can rewrite the constitution.
He urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif and other democratic forces to discourage those who were conspiring against democracy. He categorically said the government was not going and it would stay to protect all state institutions. About the summary sent by the Law Ministry on reopening of Swiss cases, he said the Supreme Court had to look into many issues, including Article 248, before moving forward.
Gilani said the president was the supreme commander of the armed forces and a part of parliament, and the Swiss cases were a part of the past and a closed transaction.
He expressed his resolve to protect democracy, saying that high offices were not his weakness and they did not come into power through the backdoor. “It is up to political parties to show maturity. Those who will not side with the democratic forces will become history,” he said.
Talking about undemocratic elements, he said, “In the game of chess, when the game is over, the kings and pawns are put in the same box.”
The prime minister said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had phoned him and asked him about speculation on a change in government. To a question about a provision of the constitution under which the Supreme Court could seek the assistance of the army, he said the army functioned under the federal government. The premier urged the media and political opponents to let his government complete its five-year tenure, saying, “No one will be allowed to enter through the backdoor.”
He warned that the media would suffer the most if any change in government came through undemocratic ways. “Extra-constitutional steps will not be tolerated,” Gilani added, and affirmed that parliament would safeguard the constitution and democracy.
To a question about Dr Aafia’s repatriation, the premier said the government would keep trying it’s best to bring her back.
To a question about allegations of corruption in the government, the PM said forums like courts and the Public Accounts Committee were available to seek redressal. daily times monitor/app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk