Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani took back his words on DG ISI and army chief’s statements given to the Supreme Court in the Memogate scandal, Express News reported on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media at Chaklala airport before heading to the World Economic Forum, Gilani said that his statement of DG ISI and army chief’s responses to the court being 'unconstitutional and unlawful' were given in a particular situation, but now the situation is clear.
“I want to dispel the impression that the military leadership acted unconstitutionally or violated rules,” said Gilani, according to state television.
He added that he wants to clarify that the statements were given in a particular context and it does not hold any importance now. There was a clash of institutions at that time, but now there isn’t.
On January 10, Gilani gave an interview to a Chinese newspaper where he stated that Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and had not been given approval by the ‘competent authorities’ – in other words the government – before submitting their responses in the Memogate case.
Gilani would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh among other officials in the annual summit of the World Economic Forum.
The prime minister is scheduled to hold meetings with world leaders who will gather at Davos, the Alpine Resort of Switzerland to deliberate upon the global economic issues.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open the annual event in which 40 heads of state, 18 of the world's central bankers besides around 2,600 of the world's top political and business leaders are expected to participate.
(With additional input from Reuters)
COMMENTS (40)
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@Ahmed Ali You are grossly wrong. Gilani showed guts with Zardari's full support, but other leaders from democratic parties didn't unite behind PPP & weakened the leadership provided by PPP. Typical dog-in--the-mongrel attitude. If Nawaz. & Imran joined Gilani, the end result would have been different.
That's like a good boy.
This is bitter and harsh truth and reality and as has been proven in the history of Pakistan that there is no any democratic government/setup can run and complete its tenure successfully without army's support and backup and here the question rises that why the democratic leaders don't understand and accept this harsh and bitter reality and truth or don't want to understand and accept intentionally to make themselves political heroes and democratic martyrs or despite knowing every thing they try to fool and deceive the nation by giving such these types of statements as PM Gillani has given to the Chinese newspaper.
Gilani takes back words on DG ISI, army chief statements WAS HE FORCED TO DO SO . . .???
For once, I had started respecting Pakistani Civilian leadership for its anti-khaki stance. All wasted on a spineless Gilani. Why did he do it?
You are too shameless to even be called the prime minister, but then I realize you are just being a Pakistani politician.
I suspect that this is a very planned make up and backing down over the memo affair; mutually agreed between Gilani/Zardari and the mil. Very sensible as far as it goes and thank goodness. After Ijaz refused to turn up in front of the Judiciary or Parliamentary Commission, the establishment had to find a way to back down from blowing itself up and it's system. This whole sordid affair shows the sheer madness that lies at the heart of the various centres of power in Pakistan including the security establishment. It should never have been allowed to get to this level of feverishness by the respective antagonists. They are always sizing each other up and jostling through means fair and foul whilst the average citizen rots falling into food and energy poverty. Every day there is a new game and a new test of wills. Najam Sethi predicted the patch up yesterday on his programme Apas ki baat. It's followed today on queue. It has been yet another very embarrassing expose of the tensions that underlie the system over a useless memo and all at the behest of men who will risk all (including the country), over basically nothing of direct relevance to the life of an ordinary person. The news addicted crowds of Pakistan cheer loudly as this gladiatoral sport plays out day in day out. It's entertainment after all. An ancient one at that and this one also has it's blood and gore. If it's a clash today between the mil and the politicians; tomorrow it will be one between some other groups. The crowds remain oblivious of the power of the curse that traps them in thought poverty. They cannot change their fate. They are condemned to be spectators of the colosseum waiting eagerly for the next bit of sordid entertainment put in front of them. Meanwhile Rome burns.
Dear PM Gilani, do you really mean it or just playing the standard political game? Become a "Man of Honor" to the 180 million Pakistanis by appearing on GEO TV which reaches the world and apologize to those that you falsely accused, defamed, insulted on mass media. Please become the first PM to publicly apologize. Your respect will shoot up. Try it.
PM Gilani “I want to dispel the impression that the military leadership acted unconstitutionally or violated rules,”
You mean the "impression" you created by saying the military leadership acted unconstitutionally?
"He added that he wants to clarify that the statements were given in a particular context and it does not hold any importance now. There was a clash of institutions at that time, but now there isn’t."
This doesn't even need any commentary to look ridiculous. He's basically asking everybody to ignore him because what he said had no importance. Could he be a bigger idiot/wuss if he tried?
The policy is to poke you in the eye with one hand and then stroke your back with the other, thus confusing and discrediting the recipient at the same time.
@Z: @adeel759: In fact the PM had made that serious allegation based on a wrong information given to him, stating that something is cooking against the government in GHQ. Which was later proved wrong. Is this how the government runs ----- on hearsay, only to be reversed when facts are exposed. Our leaders need to be more responsible and consider all facts before opening their mouth.
Vienna,January 25,2012 That is it a clash of institutions existed when CoAS Gen Ashfaq Kayani landed on an official visit to China! Now the things have been cleared for the time being.Let us hope clear light will come on sky for good.It should take place some day so that Pakistan can concentrate on internal peace and development.Institutions should work within their own domain. That had not been the case most of its life time. It is better to realise all are sinners. There are even demands to re-open the case of judicial murder of Zulfiqr Ali Bhutto for example.There is the key that new murders do not help eradicate old murders. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Give him a break! Well he definitely recognised the "grievous consequences" he would have suffered otherwise as spelt out by ISPR.......
Wah Pakistan, wah ! What a country !!
So, according to Gilani-esque logic, if, I say anything today and/or utter a blasphemy, then 'take it back' tomorrow all is OK ???
Even then we want the truth and full truth on the Memo that was given to Admiral Mullen. Mansoor Ijaz has no interest is giving the memo on his own. This government has done its best to create conditions in which he should not come. Why is the PM keeping Haqqani in the hole?
Gilani Sahib:
Thank you for your kind words.
Kiyani and Pasha are the pride of Pakistan.
Have a nice trip, Sir.
@Irtiza: It's a pity whatever the issue, for some people the Army is always wrong. I'm not a fan of what some Generals have done in the past, but come on...
somersault
@adeel759: So what you are saying is, that anyone can tell a massive lie in a particular situation and then take it back later just to inflict damage at that time? When this kind of behaviour of our 'leaders' is hailed, no wonder our country is in such a bad state.
Good retreat at the right time. Tactical manoeuvring in progress.
Job well done by the PM for the betterment of country. Its a pity that whatever the issue, army is always right.
What a country...
So what he is saying is when he was angry with the Institution, the replies were unconstitutional and illegal and this he had to say on Chinese media when Chief of Army was on official visit to China
God help this country with this PM
So next time you should say something, should we believe it or wait for clarification.
Another extension in pipeline for COAS !!!!!!!!!
A wasted opportunity by Mr Gilani! For once people thought he had stood up to Military for Civilian authority. All down the drain now!
Does he have any idea of what "Leadership" is all about?
He has made himself look like a smart politician and a poor leader!
COAS saab is above any constitution. His prestige is more important than the law.
kayani ROCKS!!!!
I have a feeling that in this battle of PPP vs Army, the army will have the last laugh. But don't know when.
Mr. PM, in other words, you lied to the nation by wrongly accusing ISI and the Army. Shouldnt you be punished for it?
wah.. First COAS statement was unconstitutional and now its constitutional.... Good
So it was just a wonderful screensaver that the Gilani tried to show us earlier. When the cursor was slightly moved from GHQ the real desktop and all the icons became visible. And that happened just now
PM's statement had made the right impact at right time. Its meaningless now, wether he withdraws it or not. Good punches PM Sab. Bravo
Well done Keyani
Oh boy!!! yet again a retreat from this man................ how many times more is he gonna change his statements?