Supreme Court won't give any anti-democracy verdict: Malik

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday showed optimism that Supreme Court would not give any verdict, which may harm the democratic set up, saying the chief justice had always been pro-democracy. Malik further said that he had no idea what the apex court is going to decide when it will take up the NRO implementation case on January 17.
"Whatever the chief justice has been stating in the past and the way he had backed democracy, I do not think anything detrimental will happen to the democracy," he said. About the rising tension between the top Generals of the country, he said an unnecessary propaganda was going on. "If you are referring to the recent crisis, or whatever is going on in the country, is not a fact. In democracy we go through transition, so ups and downs will be there," he added.
When asked whether the government would complete its five-year term in the current circumstances, he said it would only survive properly and would announce elections in March. About speculations that the government was having 'crisis' with the army, he said, there was no 'crisis' rather it was a difference of opinion, which will always be there. "You can't say we are not on the same page and of course difference of opinion whatever subject it is, would be settled in due course of time," he added.
When asked if you were on the same page with the army then why the government and the army issue hostile statements against each other, he said, everybody has a right to explain his position. " I don't think explaining position brings the situation to the level what you are saying," he said.
To a question whether the government would be in a position to normalise the situation by next week, he said if God willing current issues would be resolved in a week or so. When asked was he was happy with Generals openly criticising the prime minister, he said, the present situation was reflection of transition to democracy. Therefore, we should work together to strengthen democracy in the country.
When asked what his message to the army was, he said: "They were working together for the last four years and the government had no problems with the military. We are on the same page and hope to go ahead, the way we have been running the affairs for the last four years," he added.