Govt cannot be toppled unconstitutionally: PM
Says he witnessed oppression during his imprisonment, feels repulsed by it.
ISLAMABAD:
Two days ahead of the deadline to file an appeal against his conviction in a contempt case in the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that no government can be toppled through illegal and unconstitutional means.
Speaking at the inauguration and ground-breaking ceremony for six Capital Development Authority (CDA) projects at the Pak-China Centre on Wednesday, Prime Minister Gilani claimed his party was the first democratically-elected government in Pakistan.
“We did not come to power through a back door… (we came) with the support of people and this government will complete its tenure,” he said, adding that the government will present its fifth budget on June 1.
Gilani further said that his government will be the first in Pakistan’s history to pass on power to the next elected government through a ‘smooth transition’.
Decrying his critics, the premier maintained their actions reflected their fears of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) growing popularity. Gilani said that while some had suggested he resort to force, there was no political prisoner in the country under the present government.
“During my imprisonment, I saw the use of torture and oppression … I feel repulsed by the tactics of dictators.”
The premier said that sitting governments should strive to win the people’s hearts instead of using force.
Extolling the democratic system’s virtues and terming it the reason for the country’s progress, Gilani claimed the present government had completed development projects worth Rs1.5 trillion in the last four years.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2012.
Two days ahead of the deadline to file an appeal against his conviction in a contempt case in the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that no government can be toppled through illegal and unconstitutional means.
Speaking at the inauguration and ground-breaking ceremony for six Capital Development Authority (CDA) projects at the Pak-China Centre on Wednesday, Prime Minister Gilani claimed his party was the first democratically-elected government in Pakistan.
“We did not come to power through a back door… (we came) with the support of people and this government will complete its tenure,” he said, adding that the government will present its fifth budget on June 1.
Gilani further said that his government will be the first in Pakistan’s history to pass on power to the next elected government through a ‘smooth transition’.
Decrying his critics, the premier maintained their actions reflected their fears of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) growing popularity. Gilani said that while some had suggested he resort to force, there was no political prisoner in the country under the present government.
“During my imprisonment, I saw the use of torture and oppression … I feel repulsed by the tactics of dictators.”
The premier said that sitting governments should strive to win the people’s hearts instead of using force.
Extolling the democratic system’s virtues and terming it the reason for the country’s progress, Gilani claimed the present government had completed development projects worth Rs1.5 trillion in the last four years.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2012.