SC decision on ‘immunity’ will be respected: Gilani
Says every institution should work within its limits; challenges opposition in elections.
LAHORE:
A day after his dramatic appearance before the Supreme Court after being issued a contempt notice in the National Reconciliation Ordinance case, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani vowed to respect the court’s decision, whatever it may be, on the president’s immunity.
Gilani was talking to the media after addressing the ninth convocation of the Lahore College for Women University on Friday, where he was a chief guest.
On Thursday, premier Gilani appeared before the Supreme Court, to explain his failure in writing to Swiss officials to restore graft cases against President Zardari in line with the NRO verdict.
The prime minister reiterated his respect for the judiciary and said that the decision to write a letter to Swiss authorities rested with the court, and added that he would comply with the orders.
“My objective is to respect and to strengthen the judiciary,” he said.
The prime minister added that he was performing his functions according to the Constitution and rule of law.
“Every institution should work within its constitutionally defined limit. If this was done then there would be no clash among institutions,” he added.
Asked about his stance over the charges levelled by the opposition against his government regarding a clash with the judiciary, the premier said that the opposition should reflect back to when they were in power.
Regarding the demand to hold early general elections, Gilani said it is the opposition’s habit to criticise the government on each and every issue, but the government’s purpose is to fulfill its mandate.
“The opposition has usually embarrassed the government over many issues but we challenge them to face and contest the upcoming general elections,” he added.
NATO Supply Route
Gilani said that the decision to open Nato’s suspended supply routes in Pakistan rested with the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. He added that after the committee hands over its recommendations, he will call a joint session of Parliament, in which all the recommendations will be tabled and debated for approval.
The premier said that while former president Pervez Musharraf would give in to US demands on a single telephone call, his government took a stand against the US following the Nato attacks on Pakistani check posts last year.
Energy crisis
Speaking about the energy crisis, which has become a sore point for the incumbent government, premier Gilani said that he was aware of the gravity of the situation. “In the next six months, we will resolve the problems of the electricity, gas and petroleum sectors,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2012.
A day after his dramatic appearance before the Supreme Court after being issued a contempt notice in the National Reconciliation Ordinance case, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani vowed to respect the court’s decision, whatever it may be, on the president’s immunity.
Gilani was talking to the media after addressing the ninth convocation of the Lahore College for Women University on Friday, where he was a chief guest.
On Thursday, premier Gilani appeared before the Supreme Court, to explain his failure in writing to Swiss officials to restore graft cases against President Zardari in line with the NRO verdict.
The prime minister reiterated his respect for the judiciary and said that the decision to write a letter to Swiss authorities rested with the court, and added that he would comply with the orders.
“My objective is to respect and to strengthen the judiciary,” he said.
The prime minister added that he was performing his functions according to the Constitution and rule of law.
“Every institution should work within its constitutionally defined limit. If this was done then there would be no clash among institutions,” he added.
Asked about his stance over the charges levelled by the opposition against his government regarding a clash with the judiciary, the premier said that the opposition should reflect back to when they were in power.
Regarding the demand to hold early general elections, Gilani said it is the opposition’s habit to criticise the government on each and every issue, but the government’s purpose is to fulfill its mandate.
“The opposition has usually embarrassed the government over many issues but we challenge them to face and contest the upcoming general elections,” he added.
NATO Supply Route
Gilani said that the decision to open Nato’s suspended supply routes in Pakistan rested with the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. He added that after the committee hands over its recommendations, he will call a joint session of Parliament, in which all the recommendations will be tabled and debated for approval.
The premier said that while former president Pervez Musharraf would give in to US demands on a single telephone call, his government took a stand against the US following the Nato attacks on Pakistani check posts last year.
Energy crisis
Speaking about the energy crisis, which has become a sore point for the incumbent government, premier Gilani said that he was aware of the gravity of the situation. “In the next six months, we will resolve the problems of the electricity, gas and petroleum sectors,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2012.