Rejecting the rumours of any change mere speculations, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday categorically stated that with the present coalition government and the parliament having mandate of people through elections, every member of the parliament would protect democracy.
"We have come through elections. We have the mandate. There is a coalition government and whatever is to happen, it could be through the parliament. Technocracy not acceptable", Gilani told this to a group of Islamabad-based foreign media representatives. The Prime Minister said there was no danger of dictatorship in Pakistan, as the people had paid huge price to bring back democracy, adding, the 1973 Constitution has been restored with the support of all political parties, which had pledged it in their manifestos. "All the 442 members of parliament, including the National Assembly and the Senate, voted for bringing back the 1973 Constitution. And they are here to protect the Constitution," he stressed.
To a question about the statement of MQM Chief, the Prime Minister said that Altaf Hussain had already clarified that he did not talk about martial law. Gilani said, "there is a parliament and democracy in the country and every member of parliament will protect democracy." The Prime Minister mentioned the unanimous approval of 18th Constitutional Amendment, 7th NFC Award, more provincial autonomy, giving rights to Gilgit-Baltistan etc, and said these were the major achievements of the democratic government.
He said it is democracy that there is no political prisoner in the country, adding, "We are practising democracy and there is a parliamentary system for which my leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave her life." The Prime Minister said there could be difference of opinion among the political parties on issues, as they have their own political manifestos, but as far as the democracy is concerned "we are together." Gilani said he has the support of parliament and takes guidance from them (members of parliament) and "they will not like the system to collapse."
The Prime Minister said that President Asif Ali Zardari as per parliamentary practice of addressing the joint sitting on the commencement of every parliamentary year addressed the parliament thrice in two years, whereas former President Musharraf addressed the parliament once in nine years.