Gilani to quit politics than to stab party

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while reiterating his commitment with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday categorically said that he would rather quit the politics than to stab the party. “I am committed with the party. I am with the party and I would rather quit politics than to stab the party,” Gilani responded in an unequivocal tone, when he was posed a question with reference to some leaders who hailed from southern Punjab and had left the party.
The Prime Minister was talking with the panel of a private television channel.
During the live interaction, the Prime Minister responded to various queries that pertained to the country’s political situation, President’s health, NATO attack, Pak-US relations and other issues of national importance.
About memo scandal, the Prime Minister said it was not a worth issue as Mansoor Ijaz, the writer of the so called memo and who is also not a Pakistani, had no credibility.
To another question, Gilani said when the leader of the opposition raised the question of memo in the parliament, he replied that he would summon Ambassador Hussain Haqqani to Pakistan and will not condemn him unheard as per the norms of justice.
The Prime Minister said he told the parliament that he will call him to give explanation to the leadership.
He said Ambassador Haqqani came to Pakistan and he explained his position in the presence of the President, Chief of the Army Staff and Director General ISI.
Prime Minister Gilani said he asked Ambassador Haqqani to resign for fair trial and he immediately referred the matter to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
To another question, Gilani said, the Joint Session of the Parliament would be summoned after the Parliamentary Committee on National Security presents its recommendations.
Answering another question, the Prime Minister said Mansoor Ijaz did not have any credibility and he had even maligned other institutions in his writings.
He however, added that as the matter of memo is sub-judice before the court, and Parliamentary Committee was working on it, therefore, everyone should wait for the final decision.
Answering a question about submitting reply on the petition filed by Mian Nawaz Sharif in the Supreme Court on the issue of memo, the Prime Minister said “the reply will be submitted in time”.
To another question, Gilani said, it is not important that he remains the Prime Minister or not, but the parliament Insha Allah will complete its tenure.
To a question about the statement of Mian Nawaz Sharif regarding delay in the arrest of the murderers of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister said the matter is sub-judice.
Prime Minister Gilani said the present government is a coalition government comprising PPP, MQM, ANP, PML-Q, FATA and independents, and has two third majority.
He said the criticism on the performance of the parliament was unjustified as collective wisdom could not be wrong and no other party could make miracles.
Referring to the high prices of essential commodities, the Prime Minister said that these are due to global recession.
About National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case before the Supreme Court and issue of sending letter to Swiss Court, the Prime Minister said he was mentally prepared for all challenges and will cross the bridge when it will come. “We will cross the bridge when it comes,” he remarked.
He said one of the most important challenges before him was the law and order due to war on terrorism, adding, but the whole nation is united on this important issue.
Gilani said the government was working on war footing to resolve the issue of electricity vis a vis loadshedding and important decisions will be taken within one month.
He said the other important challenges before the government are to improve the performance of PIA, Railways and Steel Mill and efforts are being made to tackle these challenges.
On the issue of NATO/ISAF attacks on Pakistani posts, the Prime Minister said internal enquiry was being conducted and it will take up all the aspects adding ‘let the final enquiry report come’ then the government will take any decision. He said Pakistan is not part of the international enquiry on this incident.
Regarding government’s immediate reaction on the Salala issue, he said, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) was summoned on the same day and it took the decisions that included halting the supply line for NATO and asking the US to vacate the Shamsi Air Base.
Later the Cabinet also decided to boycott the Bonn Conference, he added.
Replying to a question about negotiations with Taliban, the Prime Minister said, “We are already adopting 3D (Dialogue, Deterrence and Development) policy and dialogue process, and it is a continuous process”.
Regarding Pak-US relations, the Prime Minister said, “true friendship starts after quarrel”.
He said, “We want to maintain excellent relationship with the US based on mutual respect.”
To a question the Prime Minister said the country will stay and all the institutions are responsible and the publication of one article will not have any effect on national security.
The Prime Minister said he considered media as source of information and the PPP always supported it and remained at the forefront for the freedom of media and restoration of judiciary.
He said the 1973 constitution given by the forefathers of PPP has been restored in its original form, adding, the PPP has the patience to tolerate the criticism of media.
Gilani said as Chief Executive, he had taken thousands of decisions in the last four years, but he was criticized in only four or five cases in the media.
He said those cases being criticized in the press are also sub-judice and under trial in the courts.