ISLAMABAD: Amid demands that he should step down, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday that the conviction in the contempt case against him is not related to disqualification.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Gilani said that the 30-second detention which, will also “qualify a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records”, did not have anything to do with disqualification.
He said that the opposition should “show some patience” because he had the right to appeal his conviction in the court.
The prime minister said that the regulation of the house was the Speaker’s prerogative and that if the speaker, Dr Fehmida Mirza, disqualifies him he will join the “people of Pakistan”.
Gilani said that former president of the United States, Bill Clinton, when found guilty of the charges against him did not resign and continued with his job and questioned the gathering as to why he was asked to resign on “moral grounds”.
He said, “Some say why did I not tender a resignation on the basis of morality, I ask, was I convicted for committing any acts of moral turpitude? I was only convicted because I acted according to the Constitution.”
Gilani said that he was “totally independent” and enjoyed immunity while discharging his duties.
“I respect the court which is why I went there thrice. Those who do not like to respect the courts had reservations the first time they were summoned.”
Lashing out at Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) response to his conviction, he said, “I ask today, how Nawaz Sharif managed the long journey from Adiala Prison to Jeddah.”
He said that when he was imprisoned, he received various “similar offers” but never paid heed to them.
“I spent 10 years of life in jail. I was jailed only because I gave jobs to the people of Pakistan and at that time too, I had told the court that if giving employment to the people is a crime then I will commit this crime again and again.”
The premier said that he was not digging up old cases against the Sharif brothers and that they were brought back to people’s attention by Asghar Khan and Imran Khan.
“Imran Khan proved to be better than the Sharif brothers in this regard,” said Gilani. “They were scared that before them no one else could launch a long march. They did not even wait for the decision. Forget about long march, they cannot even carry out a short march.”
Gilani said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf president Javed Hashmi had met him at his nephew’s wedding and he said that his party will take a decision only when the court decides something.
He further said that the Sharif brothers had also become party in the hearing of the Memogate scandal and could not succeed in ousting the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government.
The prime minister said that he did not know of any such law which gave the court the authority to disqualify a democratically elected prime minister. To express himself better, he also read out a couplet by Ghalib:
Be khudi besabab nahin hai Ghalib, [This unconscious state - not without cause or reason, Ghalib]
Kuch toh hai jiski parda dari hai [There's something here that's surely being veiled.]
COMMENTS (42)
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He is guilty of a much bigger offence and that is contempt of the people of Pakistan.
All attention is diverted to the pawn while the King enjoys himself!
@HRK: The elite minority has no respect for the majority opinion and it shows. The fact is PPP has been elected because of the conviction and hanging of ZAB and the long detentions of its leaders including BB. None of them ran away like some un-named leaders. People of Pakistan are not as stupid as some think, thank God for that. Everybody knows what is better for them and that is why they make a majority decision. The fact remains the more the urban elite hate the masses the more the rural majority of Pakistani heartland is going to react via their votes. It is not surprising that the parties of urban elite have no presence in the heartland. Regards, Mirza
@Logical Europe:
Hilarious! This excerpt deserves the joke of the century award! Either you don't watch news at all or are in some kind of illusion. I wish you could substantiate this claim with proofs to ensure that you're being logical but unlike your username your words reflect the attitude of the majority of PPP that has stooped so low that it's beyond the lowest thresholds of human morality and understanding. Any discussion on this matter would be waste of time. Have a good one!
Mr. PM cling on to power, this is all that matters to you. Hopefully this is the last time you will ever enjoy position of power in your life.
PPP is all fraud.
Emotional ?? why didn't they become emotional in Punjab you must respect the will of the MAJORITY ,that is called democracy Well what happened in MULTAN ,and why didn't people become emotional after Nawaz returned from exile we support PPP because it is the party of future, of prosperity ,development and moderation
he may be or may not be PM but Nawaz shareef will never be PM A convicted criminal by supreem court for hijacking a plane get rid of sharifs first, hipocrartes in totall long livet the man of substance Gilani long live zardari
These same Pakistani courts particularly SC had convicted ZAB and hanged him, kept BB and Zardari in jail for decades without ever proving a case against them, kept Gilani in jail for a decade, Kept every popular leader from Mujib Rehman to Wali Khan and the history proved the courts wrong and the leaders are still alive in the history of Paksitan. Pakistan chose Gilani and Zardari only after their long years in jail and it was their qualification not disqualifaction that some are making it. For those who have abrogated the constitution, alwasy supported acts of high treason and attacked SC there is no punishment. The protectors of OBL are patriotic and elected leaders are immoral in Pakistan for some.
There is a difference in conviction and a prison sentence. His conviction doesn't qualify for Guinness Book because he never went to prison. this is called a "slap on the wrist" sentence. This is a very common sentence, just like a fine or conditional discharge...
Yes, just like principles have nothing to do with PPP's culture !!!!
Contempt of court is not a capital or criminal offense. It is a "misdeamenor" which doesnt disqualify a person from holding public office.
Frankly, give him a break, he is not the only one who has disrespected law or has been involved in corruption.
Every other politician in the country would face disqualification if election commission chooses to enforce the law related to elections.
Pathetic...beyond imagination...
If he's disqualified, what stops the court from saying so? Why cause so much confusion?
Mr. Gillani,it was not your responsibility to give jobs but instead it is the responsibility of govt to creat jobs,there are institutions which are supposed to give jobs through transparent process.You gave the jobs after recieving money from the people as now you are issuing arm licences and your family is collecting money. Shame
By going through the comments one feels, we are not willing to allow the people to fight for their right in the court till the last.
A Peshawary
We're with you Gilani, Nawaz Sharif and these PML N guys are hypocrites, throwing stones while living in glass houses. First, all cases against nawaz sharif need to be handled before he'll have the right to ask anyone else to step down. And Gilani is right, he's not legally required to step down and he has the right to appeal.
Convicted Prime Minister still holds his office with pride is a unique example of shamelesness. What an achievement !!
PM is Still a lawful PM. No Matter how much we want him to step down, Our constitution provides otherwise. So sit back and wait till the constitutional process is completed. Behave like an Educated Nation.
This man is a living legend of shamelessness.
Sir totally agree with you, infact conviction gives you additional qualification to continue in the present appointment and even complete your present term. Moreover, you are setting an excellent example for the present and future generation by upholding the highest traditions of the constitution and obeying the laid down laws explicitly.
Mr. Prime Minister.. giving jobs to people to deal with drugs is a crime, please accept it.
What a shame proof PM. He looks extremely proud of his achievements.
Is there anything 'Pak' in Pakistan.
Such a shameless character in the history of Pakistan..Never goona see one like you
Listen to his earlier statement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH72BGPsb6I
Quote: “There is no need to be step down” I am not supposed to be a member of the Parliament.
Yes, he will join the "people of Pakistan" in one of his villas in Europe!
This man knows no shame. NONE. Sad state of affairs.
Thanks for clarification
He is a Hero... PPP have alot of heroes and Heroins.....
Hmmmm , see that's the advantage of having a third major political force now :-) there's some variety now in our traditional Pak politics . Go PTI :-) .
Wow, most people would be embarrassed to show their face if convicted by a court, but not our PM. Instead, he wants a record in the "Guinness Book of World Records".
Well, he does hold the world record for being the most shameless person on the face of this earth...
PM will not accept defeat in such a simple manner
check my drawing on this issue on the link
http://fazoolstuff.blogspot.com/2012/04/mein-na-manoon-har-court-verdict.html
And Gillani and his family has nothing to do with morals.
Self respect and dignity is not required to rule Pakistan. These peers and wadars do not know what is self respect and Dignity
citing the example of the american president is inappropriate; it is Pakistan whose premier you are. we always cite them like american president whenever favourable ..
Just step down