Rumour-mongering will end in March next year, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Saturday, as a source told Pakistan Today that the PPP leadership was expected to announce early polls after the Senate elections in March.
Meanwhile, tempers if not lowered, did not further rise as Gilani reciprocated Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani’s support to the democratic process, saying the statement was “extremely well taken in the democratic circles”. The prime minister made these remarks while talking to reporters after addressing a function held in connection with Christmas celebrations in Fatima Church. The COAS had on Friday dismissed rumours of a military takeover as false. “The clarification [from the COAS on Friday] is extremely well taken in the democratic circles,” Gilani said, adding that it would “definitely improve the situation”. Asked whether any action would be taken against the defence secretary, Gilani said, “No one would be replaced unheard.”
Responding to another question about his outburst on Thursday, Gilani said, “Golden words are never repeated.” Asked to comment on PML-N leader Javed Hashmi’s joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, he said, “I wish Javed Hashmi well.” However, Gilani taunted Imran Khan by saying that Khan should give some tips to the government so it could use them to change the destiny of the people. Asked whether the rift between the civilian and military leadership would have a negative impact on the country’s stance on the NATO attack, Gilani said one statement should not be taken as a standoff. “You are stuck on one statement while we have been fighting shoulder-to-shoulder on all issues, including terrorism, Pakistan-US relations and Kashmir. During this period, we tried to remain on the same page,” Gilani said.
He said following the NATO attack on Pakistani posts, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) had taken unanimous decisions on suspension of supplies to NATO, boycott of Bonn conference, evacuation of Shamsi airbase and new terms of engagement despite reservations on some issues.
“Including new terms of engagement, all decisions will be made in parliament,” he said, adding that “we will not do anything and would not keep things hidden from people and whatever is to be done will come in the open”. The prime minister said the Parliamentary Committee on National Security would give recommendations on the future course of engagements with the NATO-ISAF and the US.
To queries on gas and power load shedding and public protests, Gilani said there was no question of load management when there was a deficiency of gas in the country. To another question, he said the 18th Amendment was passed through parliament after thorough discussion and debate, adding that the PPP government was taking care of the needs of the minorities and it was doing more than was being done anywhere in the world. “The Ministry of National Harmony will take care of the issues of minorities,” he said.