Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Sunday that reports of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general (DG) being given an extension in order to ‘improve matters’ with the army were false, Geo News reported.
“All these references (to extension) are nothing but disinformation,” the prime minister told reporters at a briefing upon his return from Davos after attending the World Economic Forum there. Regarding early elections, the prime minister said consultations would be held with the coalition if the opposition talked logically, but added that elections would likely be held after the budget. “It is up to the prime minister to decide whether elections are to be held earlier than scheduled or on time,” he said. He said by-elections would be held on schedule, adding that the Election Commission of Pakistan had presented its standpoint before the Supreme Court, which had also come up with its explanation on the matter. The premier said negotiations would be held with the opposition on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
“I respect (Punjab Chief Minister) Shahbaz Sharif and I will not be provoked by his statement about provision of security to Mansoor Ijaz,” he said, adding that the matter was sub judice so he would not comment further. He said the issue of Khurram Rasool was brought to his knowledge by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and directives had been issued to the Interior Ministry for its enquiry.
The prime minister also said any decision of parliament on resumption of NATO supplies would be accepted. “Now there is no dictator (in the country) who would accept all the demands on a single phone call,” he said. He said apart from Punjab, all the provinces had reached a consensus on formation of a drug regulatory authority but Punjab would not let such an authority be formed. He said the Punjab government was the only obstacle in the formation of a drug regulatory authority.
Reports of extension for ISI DG false: PM
