Zardari went to hospital in Dubai due to security: Gilani
Bemoans dragging the president into every issue; trashes memogate scandal.
ISLAMABAD:
The president’s absence has put the premier in the hot seat.
Justifying President Zardari’s visit to Dubai, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani referred to an alleged terrorist plan when the president’s father, the late Hakim Ali Zardari, was admitted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Security and comfort level with the president’s personal physicians in Dubai were the main reasons for going abroad, Gilani said.
Would the government write to Swiss authorities for revival of a money laundering case against President Zardari? “I am mentally prepared … we will cross the bridge when it comes,” Gilani said while talking to reporters.
Responding to whether President Zardari’s return was subject to Chief of Army Staff and DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) replies to court in memogate case, the PM said that heads of both institutions would submit their replies through his [premier’s] office and the issue had nothing to do with the president.
Memogate
Gilani bemoaned that the president is dragged in for every issue.
“I had summoned Husain Haqqani (former ambassador to US) when the opposition raised the issue, and demanded his resignation for a fair trial while entrusting the investigation to a parliamentary committee,” the premier said. “I am the appointing authority, and therefore, responsible, instead of the president,” he said.
Gilani also questioned the credibility of the memo’s self-declared whistleblower, Mansoor Ijaz, and said that the entire episode was “not an issue [for him] at all.” Publication of an article cannot jeopardise the entire country, he said.
Nato attack
An internal inquiry on the Nato airstrike is under way and its findings could “more or less” be the same as those pointed out by the director-general military operation – that the attack was not an accident, the premier said.
On the present status of Pak-US relations, Gilani said that “true friendship starts after a quarrel.” We want to maintain excellent relationship with the US based on mutual respect, he added.
Challenges
Gilani identified law and order, electricity shortage, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills, and circular debt as challenges he faces.
“I will make a big announcement on December 25,” the premier said, without sharing any details.
Where does his commitment to party stand, after former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s resignation? “I am committed to the party. I would rather quit politics than stab the party,” Gilani said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2011.
The president’s absence has put the premier in the hot seat.
Justifying President Zardari’s visit to Dubai, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani referred to an alleged terrorist plan when the president’s father, the late Hakim Ali Zardari, was admitted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Security and comfort level with the president’s personal physicians in Dubai were the main reasons for going abroad, Gilani said.
Would the government write to Swiss authorities for revival of a money laundering case against President Zardari? “I am mentally prepared … we will cross the bridge when it comes,” Gilani said while talking to reporters.
Responding to whether President Zardari’s return was subject to Chief of Army Staff and DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) replies to court in memogate case, the PM said that heads of both institutions would submit their replies through his [premier’s] office and the issue had nothing to do with the president.
Memogate
Gilani bemoaned that the president is dragged in for every issue.
“I had summoned Husain Haqqani (former ambassador to US) when the opposition raised the issue, and demanded his resignation for a fair trial while entrusting the investigation to a parliamentary committee,” the premier said. “I am the appointing authority, and therefore, responsible, instead of the president,” he said.
Gilani also questioned the credibility of the memo’s self-declared whistleblower, Mansoor Ijaz, and said that the entire episode was “not an issue [for him] at all.” Publication of an article cannot jeopardise the entire country, he said.
Nato attack
An internal inquiry on the Nato airstrike is under way and its findings could “more or less” be the same as those pointed out by the director-general military operation – that the attack was not an accident, the premier said.
On the present status of Pak-US relations, Gilani said that “true friendship starts after a quarrel.” We want to maintain excellent relationship with the US based on mutual respect, he added.
Challenges
Gilani identified law and order, electricity shortage, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills, and circular debt as challenges he faces.
“I will make a big announcement on December 25,” the premier said, without sharing any details.
Where does his commitment to party stand, after former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s resignation? “I am committed to the party. I would rather quit politics than stab the party,” Gilani said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2011.