LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, addressing the media at a press conference in Lahore, said that the era of martial law has ended. “There is no room for martial law in Pakistan.”
He said this in response to a question regarding a possible imposition of martial law in the country.
When the topic came to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and theories about the Arsalan Iftikhar case being a conspiracy to get revenge, Gilani said, “We do not need to take revenge. We have good relations with them.”
“We respect the institution, if the chief justice cannot hear his own son’s case, then at least he can hear my son’s case,” said the prime minister.
Punjab allocates Rs10 billion for electricity
Commenting on the Rs10-billion allocation for electricity generation in the Punjab budget, Gilani said, “If Rs10 billion had been allocated every year, the situation (of electricity crisis) would have been much better.”
He further criticised the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s (PML-N) decision to discontinue the run-of-river power projects initiated by Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) leader and former chief minister of Punjab, Pervez Elahi, saying, “If those projects were continued, Punjab would have been producing its own electricity by now.”
“Has anyone ever asked the provincial government how many megawatts they have added to the system?” he questioned.
“They haven’t added even 1MW. But we added 3,700MW,” he said.
Achievements of current government
Gilani was asked what achievements the government had under its name that would help them get re-elected.
“You know, I have never asked you to vote for me,” was Gilani’s first response. “I am just saying that no government has achieved as much as this government.”
“The first achievement is that we restored the 1973 constitution to its original state, which has made the institutions stronger,” said the prime minister.
“Secondly, we made smaller provinces stakeholders in the country’s resources and gave them control over their own province’s resources.”
Another achievement, according to Gilani, were the amendments in the Frontier Controlled Regulations (FCR) that would allow political activity in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
“We made amendment in the FCR for the first time in 111 years,” said Gilani. “We included Kala Dhaka into the settled area,” he said, which was an achievement that even “the British could not claim.”
Gilani further claimed that the numerous bills introduced for women and labour empowerment by the government were “unprecedented in the history of Pakistan.”
The prime minister said that the government had taken relations with neighbouring countries to “new heights.”
“The trade relations with India will benefit our economy,” he said.
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The era of martial law has ended ---because the situation is so bad that nobody wants to be in-charge anymore.
Now the law is plundering and taking as much money and land that you can if you are in power in Pakistan.
p r sharma, how come 3 million people of democratic india live in autocratic muslim states of middle east???
Something for you to ponder as you go about bragging...
@p r sharma: People tend to think democracy is a magic bullet. Its not. China developed much faster and more efficiently without democracy. I think it has proven most arguments for democracy as invalid considering India is in huge debt and hasn't been able to develop uniformly.
Regards, Ahmed.
Sir , u never know when martial law can be reinstated. Think of a situation "Land routes to Nato supplies get reopened. Public Fury in Pakistan reaches peak , civilian govt not able to control increasing protests" Result : Martial Law/Military takes over the Govt
@Dr ubaid: Change them in next election. ( there is always an opportunity for change in democracy)
@Asif Shigri: If democracy is a system worse than dictatorship why the people of Egypt , Tunisia, Libya changed to democracy and to attain this they had to struggle hard and to sacrifice a lot. Democracy is prevailing in 99% countries of the world . These are the countries which have progressed most, Do you think all these people are fools Please think of your own if you have the grey matter in the brain. And Given the opportunity you too would like to settle in such developed countries.
Has the ' Era' really ended in Pakistan ?
I wouldn't bet on this & neither should Gilani.
“I am just saying that no government has achieved as much as this government.” hahaha dispatches from the bubble
I read 'There is no room for Marital law in Pakistan' as 'There is no room for MARITAL law in Pakistan' :).
when will this era comes to an end?
He will be the first person running to Dubai after the martial law.
Pakistan is passing through the worst period of history and is being ruled by most corrupt and criminal politicians like Zard-Aaris and Gilanis . Infact Allah has punished the Pakistani Nation for their Sins andtherefore has imposed rulers like Zard Aari..As a nation we all must pray to Allah for his mercy to get rid of these bunch of criminals of PPP. . I suggest PPP to change its name as PCC....Party of corrupt and criminals.
Someone should be grateful to the powers who forged this five year deal with the keyword "Chahay Kuch Bhi Ho".
so is urs!
This due is talking without having clue of the past. Mr. ZAB also claimed this "Chair" is very strong thereafter what happened is known to the entire world. Anyone thinking that the era of Martial Law is over is living in fools paradise.
Musharraf era has been the best in Pakistan. Democracy Nawaz-Zardari governments have given us nothing else but sugar mafia and shame.
With the efforts of Mr. Gilani, Pakistan is now is a group member of countries like, Chad, Mali, Ethopea and Somalia etc. Under his able leadership we shall be soon running the world
s most renowned universities to teach bluffing, cheating, piracy, corruption, terrorism, Sabotaging, Kidnapping for ransome, Bhattakhori, Target Killings and all such good and respectable works. Our teams of marketing will travel all over the world to bring big projects and a lot of work for population. In the next term of 5 years we shall be leaders of the world and convertbheektobhatta` from countries like USA, Britain, France, Germany etc. Our leaders have already started negotiations with these countries and frequently visiting them for this purpose. How Martial Law will come in between of this pious work???The era of Martial Law is not the only threat to Pakistan democracy but also hidden and low profile players like corrupt Govt, Zaminndars, Chaudrys, Wadwras, and politicians who are corrupt to core should have come to an end. The exploitation of the poor masses by the privileged class should have come before mentioning the Martial Law era. Its the leadership of Gen. Kayani that has kept Pakistan democracy alive not some servant of the West.
@asif shigri: Yes it was. From the mistreatment of Bangalis (Ayub khan), supporting extremists (Zia the great) and 12 May fiasco (Musharraf sahab) martial laws have been great! I can go on in detail but I know people will just go on and on about evils of democracy.
They said about 2 generals in our history and you know what they did next. I dont support democracy, this democracy has given me lack of optimism in this country as an educated professional im sitting jobless due to this wrecked corrupt economy by these so called democrats. I wish Musharraf well! Atl-east economy was much much better in his time. People were getting jobs and food inflation was at a check.
Democracy can't work in a feudal society. Every past election is a testimony to this. This is why the same old corrupt leaders keep returning to our parliament. Finish the feudal system, make an authentic and valid electoral list and reduce election time to every three years, and we will have a better chance of a functioning democracy!
"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, addressing the media at a press conference in Lahore, said that the era of martial law has ended. “There is no room for martial law in Pakistan.”
I believe this is a very well experienced statement. Because they(PPP's Government) tried and tried a lot for martial Law, but all in vain. so they are right to say that.
The unfortunate tragedy is, Martial Law produced Munis Ilahi and democracy delivered us Musa Gillani.
Khalq e Khuda: Really? You were either sleeping during the whole Mush's time or you are in a habit of making comments while asleep.
The country is standing as solid as it was four years ago if not better! Sanity is on its way towards extinction!
because the era of corruption has started and it will haunt us in years to come.
The comments above are sad, this well versed English speaking middle class of Pakistan is worse than the feudals. The army rules did nothing for people beyond the city limits, disparity increased and there was no hope for a change.
This system no matter how bad gives a chance for change every ten years! And I think we have had it enough of Pakistan 'nahi bachay ga' mantra for past four years. The country is standing as solid as it was four years ago if not better!
@ shigri and ali khan Yes it is not easy to be in the community of civilised nations Go and live in syria
Its just sad how most of the people who have commented above still want military rule. How pathetic can you guys be? I'm no fan of PPP and i think this government has failed miserably but still its better than military rule. At least the people have a choice. And this option goes away when the military takes over. Its just because of people like you that our country is not progressing. The whole world has moved forward through democracy while our people still want the most corrupt, oppressive corporate giant like the military to rule them. Very sad.
The era of martial law may have ended, but the era of miliary-pulling-strings-from-behind has not ended.
It is the most CORRUPT Govt in history of the country, .The ARMY, rule was far better than these crooks only interested to make money. How come Supreme court orders not implemented.The millions of Dollars made by ZARDARI,GILANI, HIS FAMILY AND OTHERS ARE NOT BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.WHAT HAPPENED WITH RENTAL POWER, HAJ SCAM, Drug Scam, hundred of corruption cases surfaced on the scene, no one is convicted.Even convicted are free to PLUNDER more.
Mr.convicted PM, this is your wishful thinking.........
We dont want Democratatorship , we need dictatmocracy.
The era of Feudalism should also come to an end! The mindset of a feudal lord will never let the wishes and well being of people prosper before his own self.
Martial law is always a result of poor governance and inefficiency of the democratic elected governments. If only our politicians can take concrete stand in critical international issues (e.g. drones, Davis fiasco and so on), why will the army intervene?
The people have to decided if the cost justifies the end. Keeping the army out would have been laudable if you could have delivered on a reasonably functional government. Sir, you have failed miserably.
Ask the man on the street, i am sure he would rather have martial Law rule over them, this goverment ! Any way GHQ is not that stupid to want to run the country, with its present economic and security crises engulfing the nation at present, hence you are still in charge !
Does it make you better?
@ Mullah Ka bacha: Well that should continue to keep a check on our "loving" neighbours like you.
Only to give rise to an even worse system!
Yes but the era of the Mullah and strategic assets continues - When are we planning on ending that ?
Thanks to General Kyani who is the sanest head in Pakistan right now. Mr Gillani don't claim someones else achievement as yours because you and your government have created more chaos and anarchy but General Kiyani didn't interfere.
This is very unfortunate for Pakistan. We want Martial Law.
the era of martial law was much better than this one