ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has offered to step down in the wake of the worsening political situation in the country, sources informed Express News on Monday.
In his talk with President Asif Ali Zardari at the PM House, Gilani said that he was willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of his country.
President Zardari joined the prime minister during a meeting of parliamentary leaders of all coalition parties.
Gilani also agreed to appear before the Supreme Court after he was issued a contempt of court notice today during the hearing of the NRO implementation case.
Sources say that the opposition will re-emphasise on holding early elections, while both the government and the opposition will show their support for the pro-democracy resolution in the National Assembly session which will be held later during the day.
All federal ministers are also attending the meeting.
During the meeting, Gilani’s contempt of court notice and his appearance in the court on January 19 will also be discussed.
Agenda of National Assembly session finalised
The agenda of today's (Monday) session of the National Assembly has been finalised, reported Express News.
Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan's pro-democracy resolution is placed on number five and PML-N's demands for a superior judiciary are also included in the agenda.
Earlier, the PML-N had proposed three amendments in the resolution and submitted it to the NA Speaker, along with the signatures of its parliamentarians.
The agenda also includes notices about US concerns regarding Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline deal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[poll id="627"]
COMMENTS (55)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
WHAT KIND OF SECRIFICE: What secrifice Prime Minister has offered. PM and his party had already sacrified almost all the nation. Basically, P>M and his companions are floating the law of the land and August S.C has shown extreme restraint.
When? That will be a red letter day!
The stated justification for CJP’s actions is “(to) uphold and maintain the dignity of the court and to salvage and restore the delicately poised constitutional balance in accord with the norms of constitutional democracy”. Sounds great, but I wonder by what stretch of judicial imagination your famous order to fix the price of sugar at Rs 46 per kg can be considered as upholding the dignity of the court or seen as an attempt to restore constitutional balance. Through hindsight, it now seems to be a deliberate interference in the work of the executive with the intention to undermine its authority and thereby wreck the constitutional balance. May I respectfully submit that the honor of our courts and the cause of justice in our land would have been better served had you implemented urgently needed judicial reforms in order to ensure cheap and quick justice, rid the courts of corruption and clear the cases backlog, and you should have ensured transparency, merit and objectivity in the appointment of judges and checked the growing hooliganism of the lawyers’ community.
@ Khan
You know they are not capable of running any government but you still want them to run it. What for Exactly? its like boarding a vehicle knowing the fact that the driver is incapable of even putting it in gear. Most unintelligent thing i've ever heard with all due respect.
@Khan: are you trying to be funny?
We'll Miss U "Gilani" :P
I will not regret if Gilani will step down and some other person will be made PM for few more days/months.
Gilani has already eaten the cream. What is left for the new PM will be nothing except the lollypop.
Next coming Prime Minister the great Ch Pervaiz Elahi
If he just steps down and is not held accountable then he wins and the people, the system and democracy (if we wish to call it that) looses.
A bol He will be setting up a very good tradition for future.d and commendable step. This shows that he is a patriotic sleader. T His appearence before SC will help the truth to come out. This is very essential for the honour of the country.
USA will ultimately decide who steps in and who steps out in pak....
I just said that,Plzz Go Gilani Go this is better for you and also for us..........
Gilani says he is willing to SACRIFICE, by resigning as PM, for the sake of country.
But the SC has found him guilty for deceiving the country for not taking corruption cases. And these corruption cases would have gone to the benefit of country.
Good bye PM.
@Khan: a very fine politician in my country said: zinda kaume paanch saal intzaar nahi karti
You don't want the PM ignoring the Supreme Court. As a Pakistani citizen, PM is not above the law as it were. Otherwise, why would an ordinary citizen have any respect for judiciary ?
@Im, I am assuming you are being sarcastic about the country loving the most incompetent and deluded PM in Pakistan's history ? Deluded because he thinks he is PM whereas actually AZ is the de facto PM and Gilani nothing but a rubber stamp.
@Omair yea and the first prime minister who gives extension to the army chief This prime minster has been full of contradictions.
**
** PPP can base it next election campaign on its basis.
PM is sacrificing for his boss...poor fall guy.....for saving one guy PM is trying to pull the country down...
No government has survived its full term. Either the army brings it down or the courts.
If Imran Khan also goes this way - there will be total despondency in Pakistan.
The actual culprit is behind the scene and having a great time. Mr. Gilani is just a scarifying lamb and big guy will find another one for the next Eid.
PM should not be bullied by the establishment (which in this case primarily involves military and the courts). He should go down in history as the first PM to criticise the army and complete his term.
Yousaf please dont go! You are the best PM we've had since Mohammad bin Qasim. The whole country LOVES YOU SO SO MUCH!!!
I am tottaly agree witth Fauzan comments.
PM can step down all he wants but first he must face the contempt of court notice issued against him and must face the SC. You can't make mockery of the judiciary when you are an elected representative of the people and just step down when you are done having fun.
At last after four years deciving pakistani nation he realized that he cannot run more so instead to go jail it is better to step down and save yourself. But i think he should also face impeachment process as all the pakistani nation has suffered alot due to his bad governace. It is also necessary because i think the leaders rulling over us are illetrate. Corruption is shameful due to these pesonalities so i think they should that they should not only resign but judiciary should take step to push them into the courst and make them answerable for their corruption. Further this dummy parliment must be desolved and some competent person should come in front.
He is sacrificing! Is he sacrificing for nation ? No, definitely not. He is doing it to save government or his party. I wish PM could have done it in country's favour. No delay, even he is offering, give it straight a way. He is offering his resign as he is forced to do it, if there is not pressure, he could have carry on like this for ages.
By the way, please dissovle assemblies before you resign, otherwise someone else has to do it and thanks in advance for that....
@Dr Shah: Sir, unless a no confidence motion is moved and passed the government can not fall. The ruling majority may decide to change the prime minister and reshuffle the cabinet. If the no confidence is passed then the government has to resign. The opposition if proves its majority gets a chance to form the government otherwise fresh elections.
good bye and good luck!!!! (and good riddance perhaps)
Parliament..Parliament..Parliament..Parliament..Parliament..Parliament..Parliament..Parliament.. 180 million people mandate..180 million people mandate..180 million people mandate..180 million people mandate..180 million people mandate..180 million people mandate.. Dont you see Mr. PM, your party is full on incompetetanant group of thieves and you have failed and people want to get rid of you and your team completely.. Breaking the rules of constitution and your incompotent have lead the poor people no where..Pls we have had enough of you and your leaders..
Hes not a courageous PM at all one day he will have a go at the army then next day he gives statement contradicting himself! Its what you call an incompetent PM! Immediate announcement of elections please!!
Please hurry up
We have seen enough of PPP ... Looting people in the name of democracy is something we cannot digest anymore.
Noo..qualition should request him to continue...PM had put national interest above all when he extended services of generals (as the nation is in the middle of war) ..and now he deserves the same treatment..I salute this PM...one of the boldest, most couragious son of Pakistan. .Last few days, some of his statements may not be as good but sure in such atmosphere, human feelings or failings bound to occur...
Has he not got Immunity? lol
@Khan: I politely disagree. If the govt is corrupt and incapable then there is no point of completing the tenure especially when the with this govt the only way is down.
he was willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of his country - yeah right !
Just go and leave us to our destiny with Imran Khan !
Hmmm so Mr. PM is thinking to opt for a graceful exit!
@Haris Javed: I was about to write same comment :) YE TOU HONA HE THA
Gilani said that he was "willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of his country." Is this a JOKE ? the above statement that is. Compare the economy to what it is now to what it was when you took charge of office? It's a shame that he has the guts to make this statement.
When they got stuck in their own mess then it is "sacrifice for country"...
PM shouldn't resign ... I know they are not capable of running any government but they have been elected and given mandate for five years ... People should grow up and stop this circus of ending every single government before its full tenure. Any one who has problem with these politicians must wait till next elections and think wisely before voting. IK & NS are acting immaturely by forcing the government to hold early elections.
This will be a wise decision.. I hope Zardari follows Gilani's steps as well..
It is a pleasure to feel "sensibility" all around. Will Aitzaz accept to be the next PM, if offered? I don't think so.
i cant help myself from singing, "~YE TO HONNA HI THA~" :)
Superior Judiciary is vague. So no more martial law via army but indirect marshal law via judiciary.
Yes please and hold early elections. That's the most sensible way out of current political crises.There are lot of countries who hold 4 yearly elections.
Please accept his offer. Good governance is beyond him
Yes please and hold early elections. That's the most sensible way out of current political crises. Moreover,there are plenty of countries in the World who hold elections on 4 yearly basis.