Commenting on President Obama's remarks about Pakistan that Pakistan's civilian government was very fragile, without any capacity to deliver almost anything of consequence, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that it was made in the same breath when he made several statements showing a superb degree of confidence in Pakistan Army.
He said that the civil government, its institutions, including judiciary, and media were all strong and working under the constitution. About incidents of violence in Karachi, he said that foreign hand may be involved. Talking to journalists at Multan airport on Friday just before leaving for Karachi, the prime minister said the government would take strict action against anyone who challenges its writ and violates the law.
Regarding the operation in parts of NWFP, he said that whenever the writ of the government is challenged, the provincial government can requisition the services of the armed forces for its support to maintain its writ. He said that provincial government can also call the army for it as assistance whenever required.
The Prime Minister said that he could not predict about May 5 US visit of the President and he would be able to comment on it after its completion. The Prime Minister visited Nishtar Hospital to see his cousin Tanvir-ul-Hassan Gilani's granddaughter Sana Gilani (3) who is suffering from brain haemorrhage. He ordered for expansion of the intensive care unit and expansion of Nishtar Hospital Multan because it was also providing medical facilities to the people of Dera Ismail Khan, Tank in NWFP, and Loralai, Rukni, Sibbi in Balochistan.