Outgoing Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Tuesday expressed the hope that election of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for top government slot would help democratic process.
He was speaking in the National Assembly here after Shujaat was elected new Leader of the House.
"I assure you he (Shujaat) will be able to run the country in accordance with the aspirations of the people," Jamali said.
Dispelling the notion that he was "forced" to quit the premier's office, he said: "It doesn't matter what other people think; I did what I thought appropriate for myself and the system."
The decision of resignation from the premiership was taken with the consultation of ruling party's members; and other parties must not try to make it an issue, Jamali added.
"The other parties (opposition) don't have any right to comment on our decision, whatever it is," he said.
Jamali said he served as chief executive of the country until he thought he was able to come up to the expectations of the countrymen.
"It (resignation) is nothing. I would have not been hesitant, had I been asked to sacrifice even my life to save the democratic system and country," Jamali said giving an emotional touch to his farewell speech.
Criticising opposition parties for their "criticism for the sake of criticism", Jamali asked them to join hands with the ruling coalition for strengthening democracy to uphold parliament and constitution.
"All parties have the mandate of public and they must show moral courage to take decisions for the well-being of the country," he added.
He asked the parliamentarians to shun the "tradition of hypocrisy" and play a pivotal role in introducing values of accommodation, morality and decency in politics.
He conveyed his word of thanks to all parliamentarians for backing him and his cabinet for 2004-05 budget.