The federal cabinet decided in principal on Wednesday to use the forum of parliament to send a strong response to the judiciary and the army rather than responding to both institutions through the executive.
“Almost all the ministers expressed confidence in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari on a resolution presented by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and it was unanimously decided that fiery speeches would be made in parliament, which is scheduled to meet this evening (Thursday),” a cabinet source told Pakistan Today.
The source said that the cabinet decided that like other state institutions, there was a dire need for parliamentarians to show solidarity and strong messaging should be conveyed to help the government get through the difficult phase. Later, Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan rubbished rumors about the resignation of the prime minister and said rumour mills were spreading disinformation, “but somebody’s personal desires cannot become news”. “No one can force the government to work according to their wishes. The prime minister has been unanimously elected leader of the House. He cannot be sent home on someone’s wishes. It would be better for the opposition if they move the apex court to register a case under Article 6 of the constitution against the dictator (former president Pervez Musharraf),” she told reporters in a briefing on the cabinet decisions.
She said the government did not want confrontation between state institutions and the collation partners had advised the government not to adopt a confrontational path, and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would not ignore the opinion of its allies in the decision making process. “How is it possible for a party that does not have simple majority in the House to ignore the advice of its allies in making important decisions?” she said, adding that the PPP leadership did not need to become political martyrs as its leaders had sacrificed their lives for the cause of democracy.
“The PPP believes in the supremacy of parliament and it has summoned the session to hold a debate on the matter and find a way forward,” the minister said. She said further that all institutions had to work within the constitutional parameters and no institution could create crisis for another. Responding to a question about the resignation of PPP MNA Jamshed Dasti, the minister said she was hopeful that the party leadership would address his grievances and may convince him to withdraw his resignation. Responding to another question, the minister said the government would submit its reply in the Supreme Court in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case and the attorney general had been assigned to prepare the government’s reply. The cabinet meeting also offered fateha for Pir Sahib Pagara and parliamentary secretary Azeem Daultana, and it was decided that a parliamentary delegation headed by Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khurshid Shah would attend Pagara’s funeral on Thursday.
Initially I was disgusted to learn about the fake degree of Jamshed Dasti. It was due to the fact that the very people we choose to make lead us have no integrity. At the same time I always believed and still do, the wisdom and foresight is not exclusive to the people holding B.A degree. I watched Jamshed Dasti in many talk shows. My impression about him changed, I think Allah gifted him with quality to become a smart and effective Politician and true representative of People. His resignation, today shows his foresight. I hope he learnt from his mistakes. If he is genuine, he will reedem himself no matter who is he with.
The government must stand firm against infringement of Parliamentary & Executive domains by Judiciary or Khaki Establishment which must obediently serve under the Executive.
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