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Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani admitted on Sunday that a ‘third force’ could come to power if his government collapsed, but warned PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif that he stood little chance of taking the helm.
Referring to corruption charges against the government, he said that every democratic administration in the past was removed on charges of corruption. In a dig at his political opponent, Gilani said that Nawaz should know that corruption charges against the government would not result in Nawaz attaining power.
The comments also appear to lend weight to recent murmurs that the two parties were considering shows of unity in the face of a rising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – what they, insiders say, perceive as a security- backed ‘third force’.
Speaking at a function in Lahore, Gilani said that conspiracies were afoot to block the Senate elections, a private TV channel reported. He warned against such moves, saying a serious blow to democracy would bring the country to a standstill and insisting the Senate elections would go ahead as planned in May.
The PM also reiterated his certainty that the PPP would win the Senate elections.
The frequent stream of corruption allegations, from one political party to the other, was criticised by the PM, who termed them a fad. “If we have done corruption, an institution is there to take account of that,” he said, asking those with proof against his party to take the matter up in the courts.
On the issue of creating a Seraiki province, the PM said efforts were continuing and that all political parties were united on the issue. Gilani emphasised that constitutional means would be used to bring the Seraiki province into being.
Gilani also declared that the load-shedding problem would be tackled within a year. He dismissed providing subsidies on tariffs as a possible remedy for the issue, stating that electricity and gas tariffs were linked to world markets and therefore such subsidies would be largely irrelevant.
The PM announced that a special cabinet meeting would be held on Tuesday to tackle the energy shortages.
Broaching Pakistan-US ties, he said the relationship should be in line with the will of the people. “No war can be waged without the people’s power,” he said. “All decisions about ties with the US will be taken in parliament by keeping the people’s interests uppermost,” he told PTV.
Gilani also presided over a party meeting at which the PPP decided to launch a mass awareness campaign across Punjab. The PM will, apparently, use speeches and public gatherings to shore up support.
“The PPP, in its first phase, would arrange the public gatherings in six divisions of the Punjab. The first public gathering would be held on January 21 at Sargodha where Gilani will address the PPP rally,” said PPP Punjab Deputy General Secretary Usman Malick. He said that after two weeks the PPP would hold its second public gathering in Kasur.
(APP, with additional reporting by Abdul Manan)
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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The only democracy that pakistan is likely to see in near future is "same as before" meaning corruption, no transparency, who cares attitude etc, or new so called messiah, who is frankly well out of his depth to provide any quick solutions to many problems facing the nation on all fronts, and may be overwhelmed by seasoned politician who have recently joined his band wagon to do business as usual while in office, which is basically same as the other lot!!
To hell with such a democracy...
Fasih Khan I can agree with you partly. I am one one of those fools who feels that Pakistan has the potential of becoming an industrial giant like Japan. What it needs is a change in its outlook of hate to live and let live. It needs an honest leadership. Musharraf gave Pakistan a stable government for a while but in the end he faltered. Think of who can give you an honest leader who will be able to control corruption and rule of law. You will see a prosperous Pakistan emerging. People of Pakistan have suffrered enough. They need a peaceful and peace loving Pakistan.
@dv sikka: Do not compare Musharraf with these two. Be honest to yourself and others. It's shameful ....
Whether it is Zardari, Nawaz or Musharraf ( who is waiting in the wings ), the losers will be Pakistanis.
I have reason to believe that you entertain comments of only a particular school of thought.............
PPP and PMLN combined would be a potent force and are capable of spoiling the IK party. PTI has lately admitted some controversial politicians and its further plan to admit Musharraf is likely to backfire and adversely affecting the party prospects as many of its supporters on being disillusioned might leave the party and join the alliance.
PMLN and PP must join hands to keep the menace of PTI out
So called Pakistan's Biggest Political Parties PML-N & PPPP are afraid of the new "Tanga Party".........that's what they used to call PTI......... Nawaz is not derailing the current democracy because he is waiting for his turn, if he will act then he will loose his turn. And if there is so much brotherhood between the two political leaders then how Nawaz will take up the corruption charges against PPPP !!!... if he is in Power!!!! Means there is a mutual understanding........ live and let live.......take your share and save it overseas. If Nawaz will come, same statement will be there, "in the largest interest of the Country lets forget the past, lets forgive everyone and move ahead", and now see how we will eat this country.........
So it is Proved that they want Power and Don't Care About the People at all !!
“All decisions about ties with the US will be taken in parliament by keeping the people’s interests uppermost,” he told PTV
I will be asking the question regarding your above statement on the Judgement Day. May Allah Bless Pakistan and it's innocent people. May Allah Punish those who betrayed Pakistan and its people in Dunya and Aakhrat. Ameen Summa Ameen.Absolutely right. the two major political parties of the country hold more responsibility to keep democracy going here. For this they should respect democratic norms by fulfilling promises and pacts made with other parties before and after elections. Secondly they must properly accommodate other institutions regarded as the 'pillars of the state' as per democratic norms.
Whatever u 2 do.... future belongs to PTI ...
Why so scare from third force buddy????????????? may be crruption gotta end some how.
But Pakistani people will win for sure.
The PM is misquoting. PML-n is against new provinces on linguistic/ ethnic basis.