Not a back-stabber: Gilani committed to the PPP cause

Says government ought to complete its term whether he remains Prime Minister or not.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday reiterated that the government would continue whether he remains as its head or not and that  he would not condemn Pakistan’s former ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani without an opportunity for the envoy to explain himself fully.

In an interview to Dunya Tv, the Prime Minister stated that he was committed to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and that he would rather quit politics than to back-stab the party. “I am committed with the party. I am with the party and I would rather quit politics than to stab the party,” Gilani responded in an unequivocal tone.

During the live interaction, the Prime Minister responded to various queries pertaining to the country’s political situation, President’s health, NATO attack, Pak-US relations and other issues of national importance.

Memogate scandal

About memo scandal, the Prime Minister said it was not a worthy issue as Mansoor Ijaz, the ‘writer’ of the so called memo was not a Pakistani, and had no credibility.

To another question, Gilani recounted that when the leader of the opposition raised the question of the memo in parliament, the Prime Minister responded by summoning Ambassador Haqqani to Pakistan to explain himself to the leadership.

(Read: Memogate: Ambassador Haqqani will give explanation, says Gilani)

He said Ambassador Haqqani had explained his position in the presence of the President, Chief of the Army Staff and Director General ISI. Haqqani was subsequently asked to resign in order for a fair trial to take place. The matter was referred to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Gilani said.

Asked about the credibility of Mansoor Ijaz, the Prime Minister said that he had even maligned other institutions in his writings. He did not elaborate further claiming that the matter was now sub-judice, and the Parliamentary Committee was working on it, therefore, everyone should wait for the final decision.

(Read: 'PML-N to present resolutions over Memogate, NATO attack in PA')

To a question the Prime Minister said the country will stay and all the institutions are responsible, and accountable. He said that the publication of one article will not have any effect on national security.

On the question of a petition filed by Nawaz Sharif in the Supreme Court, Gilani assured that, “the reply will be submitted in time”.

To another question, Gilani said, it was not important that he remains as the Prime Minister or not, but that the parliament complete its tenure. He reminded that the present government was a coalition government comprising PPP, MQM, ANP, PML-Q, FATA and independents having two-thirds majority.

He said the criticism on the performance of the parliament was unjustified as collective wisdom could not be wrong and no other party could do miracles.

NRO Case

On the question of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case before the Supreme Court, which has recently been dismissed, Gilani said he was mentally prepared to face all challenges and will cross the 'bridge' when he comes to it. “We will cross the bridge when it comes,” he remarked.

(Read: SC issues detailed NRO verdict, addresses govt objections)

He said one of the most important challenges for him was the law and order situation in the country created as a result of the war on terror, adding, the whole nation was united on this important issue.

Economic challenges facing the country

In light of the severe economic challenges facing the country including the worsening electricity situation and the failings of major public sector companies, the Prime Minister said that the government was working on war footing to resolve the issue of electricity vis-a-vis loadshedding and important decisions in this regard will be taken within a month.

He added that among the other important challenges before the government were to improve the performance of ailing institutions such as PIA, Railways and Steel Mill and efforts were being made to tackle these challenges.

(Read: Cabinet meeting: Govt to restructure loss-making public entities)

Salala attacks and aftermath

On the issue of NATO/ISAF attacks on Pakistani posts, the Prime Minister said an internal inquiry was underway (he clarified that Pakistan was not part of the international inquiry of this incident) and it will look at all the aspects. “Let the final inquiry report come’ then the government will take any decision.”

(Read: Cabinet and Senate briefings: ‘Military to up the ante on western front’)

Regarding government’s reaction on the Salala issue, he said, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) was summoned on the same day and it took decisions that included halting the supply line for NATO and asking the US to vacate the Shamsi air base. The cabinet also decided to boycott the Bonn Conference, he added.

(Read: Bonn free: Parliamentary panel endorses govt’s strong stand)

Negotiations with the Taliban

Asked about a news report of the Pakistan government negotiating with the Taliban, the Prime Minister said that the government was engaged in a three prong engagement with the militants. “We are already adopting 3D (Dialogue, Deterrence and Development) policy and dialogue process, and it is a continuous process”.

(Read: Pakistani Taliban confirm peace talks with Islamabad)

Worsening relations with the US

With Pakistan’s relations with the US taking a tumble in recent times, most notably after the November 26 incident at Salala when NATO helicopters attacked a Pakistani border check post, killing 24 soldiers, concerns are high if and when relations would improve. The Prime Minister said, “true friendship starts after quarrel,” adding that Pakistan did want relations with US, “we want to maintain excellent relationship with the US based on mutual respect.”

(Read: PM Gilani interview: Business as usual?)

Free media, criticism appreciated

The Prime Minister said that he considered the media as a source of information and the PPP always supported it, He also lauded the role of the media in the restoration of judiciary.

He said the 1973 constitution introduced by the forefathers of PPP, had been restored to its original form, adding, the PPP had the patience to tolerate the criticism of media.

He said the criticism on media is an encouragement and he took it as advice to improve the performance of the government.

Gilani said as Chief Executive, he had taken thousands of decisions in the last four years, but he was criticised in only four or five cases in the media. He reminded the media at large that these cases were sub-judice and under trial in the courts.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Husain Haqqani was former foreign minister of Pakistan.