Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday said, under the Constitution, he was answerable only to the Parliament and not to any individual. He was responding to a question about a news report that claimed that Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had asked President Asif Ali Zardari during his meeting on Saturday, that the Prime Minister take back his remarks about the army chief.
"According to the Constitution, the Prime Minister, the Ministers, the State Ministers, are all answerable to the Parliament. I am not answerable to any individual ... whenever the Parliament wants, I will present my point of view," he told the reporters. He said all state institutions need to work within their respective ambit, according to the Constitution.
The Prime Minister said he was the representative of the people of Pakistan and has always said that the Parliament would complete its five-year term, as it has been elected by the people of Pakistan and it was important that it completes its term.
He, however said it was not important that the Prime Minister completes his term, and there is a laid down procedure to bring in a new Prime Minister. He said he never stated that he would stay as Prime Minister throughout the tenure of the government. "We would welcome if anyone wants to bring in a new Prime Minister, according to the Constitution," Gilani said. He said the President had already rejected a report by a foreign news agency that any such demand was made that either he retract his remarks or give an explanation. To a question the Prime Minister said the Senate elections would be held on time.