Even if PTI, PML-N join forces, PPP is ready for them: Gilani
Says only parliament has the right to remove him.
LAHORE:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that even if Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan joined forces, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were ready to face them in the upcoming elections.
Gilani was addressing the officer bearers of the Lahore Press Club at his residence on Sunday, wherein he awarded Rs10 million to the club.
Speaking about his disqualification as prime minster, he briefed the gathering on the process, saying that if the court disqualified him in the detailed judgment, then the ultimate decision would be taken by the speaker National Assembly (NA).
The prime minister vowed that he would not tender his resignation.
Gilani added that according to the constitution, the speaker has to send a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan and if the speaker decides against disqualification then she is empowered not to send the reference to the ECP.
The prime minister vowed to contest the matter in court, adding that if his resignation was the only amicable solution to this issue, then he would immediately resign.
He said that he was an elected prime minister and only parliament could remove him.
However the prime minister said that it was the opposition’s right to bring a resolution against him but none could remove him illegally and unconstitutionally.
Gilani added that all the bar councils in the county has endorsed PPP’s stance after his conviction which was to appeal in court after the detailed judgement.
Bashing the PML-N
According to the PM media office, he said that he and President Asif Ali Zardari had faced a dictator (Musharraf) with courage while Nawaz Sharif left the country under an agreement with Musharraf.
Gilani lashed out at the Sharif bothers saying that the PPP leadership would always confront a dictator while the Sharif brothers would again flee from the country.
He said that the PML-N leadership wanted to enjoy the benefits of being in the opposition and of being in power in the Punjab.
"If the PML-N leadership has courage then they should resign from the assemblies and I will announce by-polls on the same day," he challenged.
Criticising the PML-N’s decision to carry out a long march, Gilani said that Nawaz had signed a charter of Charter of Democracy (CoD), and this act was contrary to it.
He said that his son could hold bigger rallies then the PML-N.
On the Kargil issue, he said that Nawaz Sharif had left Pakistan for US where he signed a deal over the Kargil issue.
On the energy issue, Gilani said that Punjab government was not implementing decisions taken in the energy conference, which was regrettable.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that even if Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan joined forces, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were ready to face them in the upcoming elections.
Gilani was addressing the officer bearers of the Lahore Press Club at his residence on Sunday, wherein he awarded Rs10 million to the club.
Speaking about his disqualification as prime minster, he briefed the gathering on the process, saying that if the court disqualified him in the detailed judgment, then the ultimate decision would be taken by the speaker National Assembly (NA).
The prime minister vowed that he would not tender his resignation.
Gilani added that according to the constitution, the speaker has to send a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan and if the speaker decides against disqualification then she is empowered not to send the reference to the ECP.
The prime minister vowed to contest the matter in court, adding that if his resignation was the only amicable solution to this issue, then he would immediately resign.
He said that he was an elected prime minister and only parliament could remove him.
However the prime minister said that it was the opposition’s right to bring a resolution against him but none could remove him illegally and unconstitutionally.
Gilani added that all the bar councils in the county has endorsed PPP’s stance after his conviction which was to appeal in court after the detailed judgement.
Bashing the PML-N
According to the PM media office, he said that he and President Asif Ali Zardari had faced a dictator (Musharraf) with courage while Nawaz Sharif left the country under an agreement with Musharraf.
Gilani lashed out at the Sharif bothers saying that the PPP leadership would always confront a dictator while the Sharif brothers would again flee from the country.
He said that the PML-N leadership wanted to enjoy the benefits of being in the opposition and of being in power in the Punjab.
"If the PML-N leadership has courage then they should resign from the assemblies and I will announce by-polls on the same day," he challenged.
Criticising the PML-N’s decision to carry out a long march, Gilani said that Nawaz had signed a charter of Charter of Democracy (CoD), and this act was contrary to it.
He said that his son could hold bigger rallies then the PML-N.
On the Kargil issue, he said that Nawaz Sharif had left Pakistan for US where he signed a deal over the Kargil issue.
On the energy issue, Gilani said that Punjab government was not implementing decisions taken in the energy conference, which was regrettable.