LAHORE – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that his government would stay in power with or without the MQM or any other ally.
Talking to reporters at the Walima ceremony of Hassan Baloch, son of JI leader Liaquat Baloch, Gilani said he had been elected unanimously by parliament and did not see any crisis in the country. The PM said he had cordial relations with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, who had always shown sagacity.
“I hope Nawaz will not let the democratic system derail,” Gilani said. He said that the MQM had issues at the provincial level, adding that he held JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman in great esteem. Gilani said he was against horse trading. The prime minister said his government was committed to providing relief to the nation in the remaining part of its tenure.
He also clarified that the government could never go against the Namoos-e-Risalat Bill. To a question on POL price hike, he said the decision was taken by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and the government could not provide subsidy on petroleum products any further.
Also the prime minister will meet Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif today (Monday). Sources in the CM secretariat said the MQM’s move and its impacts on future alignments would be top agenda items of the meeting.
