Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Thursday that the 17th amendment would be repealed and its annulment would be "a feather in the cap of Pakistan People's Party and its government." Prime minister further asserted it was his decision alone to reinstate CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and not that of CoAS.
"I am committed with Mian Nawaz Sharif to undo the 17th amendment, 58- 2(B) and the bar on third time prime ministership," he told a select group of print and electronic media representatives at the PM House. He said the committee headed by Senator Raza Rabbaini had resolved most of the issues and its work was now in "final stage."
The Prime Minister dismissed speculation about an institutional conflict in the making. "I believe every institution should play its role within the parameters of the Constitution," he added. He said the government had full faith in the judiciary and therefore from the day one it had decided not to defend the NRO in the Supreme Court as it was aware of its repercussions.
"We accepted the verdict of the apex court on NRO," the Prime Minister said. He said the cases had been reopened in accordance with the verdict and pointed out that mere allegations did not warrant resignation. "No one can resign on the basis of mere allegations. Let courts take decisions", he added. "We respect the Supreme Court verdict; we are waiting for the detailed judgement and will move forward in the light of opinion of our legal experts. We are not in a hurry, he said.
About the challenges the government was facing, Gilani said the government would turn these into opportunities. "We have not come to power through back door but have been elected by the people of Pakistan and have a mandate for five years. The government shall complete its tenure," the Prime Minister said.
He said the PPP enjoyed public support, which was once again demonstrated by results of the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the win of the party's candidates also in by-polls. The successful military operations against terrorists, Balochistan package, National Finance Commission Award and restoration of judges are the landmark achievements of the government, the Prime Minister said. To a question about possibility of former president Pervez Musharraf's trial, Gilani said this could be done if all political parties and the parliament support it.
He said it was not Musharraf alone but those who supported him were also liable to being taken to task under article 6 of the Constitution. To a question, Gilani said there were no differences between the army and the government. Replying to another question, he said the government was fully alive to tackling the problem of corruption in the society. About the rental power projects the Prime Minister said it was discussed in the Parliament but the debate threw up all sorts of accusations that discouraged investors.
Asked about judges' restoration, he said his first order after his election ended detention of the deposed judges. He said later Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was restored by him in March. "It was my decision and not of the COAS".
About interference of India in Balochistan, he said he had told the Indian prime minister about it in Sharmel Sheikh in Egypt. About the war on terror, he said it was wrong to say that Pakistan was fighting terror for the USA. "It is our own war and all the political parties are against terrorism," he said. He said the military operation in Swat and Malakand was completed successfully. The two million IDPs were back in their homes and this achievement was unprecedented in the world, he added.
To a question, the Prime Minister said militancy and terrorism is a deep rooted problem which "we have inherited" and expressed the resolve to root out this menace. The successful operation in South Waziristan has dismantled the network of Baitullah Mehsud and now the terrorists are on the run, he said. The Prime Minister said the government and the security forces were "doing a great job" with public and media support.
He rejected rumours that there were differences between the President and the Prime Minister. "I am running the government and the co-chairperson is running the party." The intention of the President is clear and he wants to transfer power to the Parliament, he said.
He said there was no threat to the government and the talk of some "invisible force" conspiring to dislodge it was without any basis. "There is no indication of any conspiracy," he added. About Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto assassination probe, he said the UN team has been given one-month extension and their report would be submitted soon.
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