PM to address nation regarding ongoing crises

The ruling government's performance, the new judicial crisis, charter of democracy and floods likely on the agenda.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is due to address the nation later today (Sunday).

Sources say the address is being held in an effort to take the nation into confidence over the issue of withdrawal of judges' restoration notification.

The Prime Minister's address is likely to be aimed at defusing the tension caused by prevailing issues between the judiciary and the government.

As yet, the government has denied media reports of having ‘secretive’ plans of purging a ‘hostile’ Supreme Court.

Top officials of three mainstream electronic media organisations, along with the chairman of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the attorney-general will appear before the Supreme Court tomorrow (Monday) in connection with the news aired on Friday suggesting that the government was considering withdrawing the March 16, 2009, notification on the judges’ restoration.

Earlier in the week, The Express Tribune had reported that the 17-member full court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry disclosed that it had credible information that suggested that the government was considering withdrawing the notification which restored the deposed judges.

The court warned that any such move will be tantamount to subversion of the Constitution and directed the prime minister, president and other state functionaries to refrain from steps that may violate Article 6 of the Constitution.

The ruling government's performance, the charter of democracy and ongoing efforts for the rehabiliation of the flood victims are also likely to be brought up by the Prime Minister in his address.