Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has dispelled the impression of any possible war between Pakistan and India, saying the nuclear deterrence of the two countries would not allow them to attack on each other. "There is no threat of war, as there is tremendous pressure of people across the globe on the government of India to avoid talking about war", the Premier said while addressing a press conference here on Thursday.
Commenting on the threats given by Indian Army Chief in a press conference, Gilani said that Foreign Office has responded to Indian Army Chief's statement. To a question about US Vice President-elect Joe Biden's meeting with President-elect Barack Obama in which he reportedly conveyed some reservations about Pakistan, Gilani said it would be premature to comment on this issue based on speculations. Unless the details of the meeting were made public and we know about the nature of the reservations, we will not comment on it, he added.
To another question about delay in Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project, the Prime Minister rejected the speculations being made about the future of IPI gas pipeline project, saying that in his meeting with Iranian president's special envoy he did not find any such impression. "We have time and again stated that if India will leave the project we will buy the Indian share of the project", he added.
Raza Gilani also reiterated the commitment of PPP to repeal the 17th Amendment and would support a joint bill in this regard. "The impression that other political parties are taking the lead in presenting bills in Parliament to repeal the 17th Amendment and PPP is not serious.
It is commitment of our martyred leader to repeal the 17th Amendment and restore the Constitution in its true form", Gilani said, adding PPP under dynamic leadership of Benazir Bhutto resisted the 17th Amendment at the time it was passed in the National Assembly and constitution of National Security Council by previous dictatorial regime.
"We have formed a committee which will review the bills presented by different political parties and make a compact bill out of it. We need two-third majority in the Parliament to abolish the 17th Amendment", he said. PPP will consult all political parties whenever a combined bill is presented, we will support it, he added.
Gilani declined to comment on the statement of sacked National Security Advisor Mehmud Ali Durrani, saying that he would not comment on this issue. A notification of his termination has already been issued, he responded when asked that Durrani is claiming himself in service. When asked bout the United Nations' probe into the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, Gilani said the whole nation was anxious to find out the details.
He said that the permanent representative of Pakistan to United Nations hold meeting with President Zardari and him and briefed about the formalities of the United Nations. "We will fulfil the formalities and then the probe would begin", he said. Gilani also dispelled the impression of any reshuffle in the cabinet, saying that there is no reshuffle on cards. Cabinet was recently formed and let it work, he added.
He admitted the scant presence of members from treasury benches in National Assembly, particularly no presence of ministers during question hour. He assured the complete presence of the ministers in the Parliament to respond the question of the members, saying that he had already directed the ministers to ensure presence during the question hour session.
Gilani said he hardly missed attending the Assembly proceedings just to ensure that the participation of the parliamentarians could be ensured. The prime minister visited the information ministry. Information Minister Sherry Rehman and high officials of the ministry were also present on the occasion.