ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said there would be no showdown between the government and the judiciary and October 13 would pass smoothly.
“Those who are giving deadlines for the government’s ouster will be disappointed,” he said while talking to reporters after a dinner hosted in honor of diplomats at the Prime Minister’s House.
Gilnai said the government had a lot of respect for the judiciary and there was no clash between the two institutions. “The country’s superior judiciary also wants to see democracy moving forward,” he added.
He said the country did not face a situation like the 1980s and 1990s presently, and now all the institutions wanted to see the system move forward and strengthened.
The prime minister said the government gave priority to merit in all affairs, adding that the grade 22 promotions approved on Monday were also based on merit and without favour.
To a question on the appointment of NAB chairman, Gilani said President Asif Ali Zardari had appointed him in accordance with the law and used his discretionary powers.
To another question, the prime minister said that under the 18th Amendment, the cabinet would be reshuffled by the end of this year and ten ministries would be abolished.
