Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is “confused” about the Supreme Court’s fresh orders on writing a letter to Swiss authorities for reopening corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, saying it was not clear on which case he should write the letter.
“There is confusion in the minds of the people that on which case the order was issued, as there are two separate cases,” he said while talking to a group of journalists at the Prime Minister’s House. In an hour-long session with the reporters, the premier answered a volley of tough questions in a frank and candid manner, saying he would have to consult his counsel over the SC’s order.
“Aitzaz Ahsan is a competent lawyer and he is representing me in the contempt case, although I don’t think I have committed any contempt,” he said. Asked whether he would write the letter to implement the court’s new orders, the prime minister said, “This is like putting a cart before the horse. I would only take any decision after seeking advice from my lawyer.” However, when pressed again whether or not he would implement the court’s order, Gilani said he would “abide by the constitution”. “I am ready to appear before the court once again,” he added. Asked whether his government would give in to the US pressure on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the premier said that “national interest would be kept supreme while taking any decision”.
“Iran and Pakistan are sovereign countries. We do have bilateral ties, and Iran also has ties with other states. No sanctions have been imposed by the United Nations. Despite media statements, the US government has not taken up the matter with Pakistan,” he added.
Gilani said his party was in touch with coalition partners for amending the constitution for Saraiki province, but that some individuals were demanding other provinces to confuse the cause of Saraiki province.
When asked about a cabinet reshuffle, Gilani said the possibility could not be ruled out. He said he would also change top men in the bleeding public service enterprises (PSEs).
About holding a joint session of the parliament to discuss the recommendations compiled by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security on new terms of engagement with the US, the prime minister said it would be held in a matter of days, and soon after the joint session of March 17 which would be addressed by President Zardari, another joint session of the parliament would be summoned to discuss the new terms of engagements with the US.
“You know that true friendship starts after a quarrel. The new terms of engagement with the US after the parliament’s nod would help build mutual confidence and trust. Previously, both the nations were interacting on ad-hoc basis and this was the reason there was lack of confidence which was a major hurdle (in good relations),” he added.
Asked if Pakistan had set a precondition for the US government to offer apology for attacking Salala check post, Gilani said no such demand was ever made. “This is not the government of an individual who wore four caps (sic) but had fallen on a mere phone call by (US) under-secretary,” said Gilani in an apparent reference to General (r) Pervez Musharraf without mentioning his name. He said that he had never acted in that manner, and had conveyed Pakistan’s concerns to the US diplomatically and in a decent manner.
Terming terrorism and energy crisis as the biggest challenges his government had faced in the past four years, the prime minister asserted that several constitutional amendments were his biggest success as he had revived the 1973 Constitution in its original shape.
About the government’s failure in convening an All Parties Conference (APC) on Balochistan issue, the premier said that he had decided to respect the mandate given to the elected representatives by the people of Balochistan.
“I had to consult with the Balochistan chief minister and seek his recommendations to improve the law and order condition, which was the biggest challenge in talks with the dissident Baloch leaders who want to settle the issue of recovery of mutilated bodies as precondition. Now this is a provincial matter,” he said.
He said the Balochistan chief minister wanted that all the federal law enforcement agencies should work on his recommendations. “I have held talks with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the army chief and the DG-ISI. All necessary steps would be taken and I would direct the law enforces to assist the chief minister in improving law and order,” he added.
Terming all Baloch leaders as patriotic, Gilani said those who were killing settlers in Balochistan, including Punjabis and Saraikis, were some “other elements”.
“We cannot rule out the involvement of foreign hand in Balochistan unrest,” he said, adding that a mechanism was being finalised to improve security situation in the restive province.
About reaching an ‘understanding’ with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, Gilani said he used to develop understanding with Nawaz and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Chauhdry Nisar on national issues.
“We would also reach an understanding on the accountability bill like other major issues. My government has never victimised anyone and I placed NAB (National Accountability Bureau) under the Law Ministry to ensure that no one is victimised,” he added.
When asked to comment on the nature of role Afghan President Hamid Karzai expected from Pakistan in talks with the Taliban, Gilani said the Afghan president felt that Pakistan had influence over some Afghan militant groups who had fought against the Soviet invasion.
“We are ready to assist in an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace initiative and this commitment is not new. Others would soon leave the region, but we have to stay as we are neighbours,” he said.
Recalling his first interaction with former US president George Bush, Gilani recounted that he had asserted his party’s “3D policy” of “deterrence, dialogue and development”. However, he added, the US president had laughed it off, thinking it was a Greek proverb. “Now the US itself is talking with the Taliban,” Gilani said.
He also rubbished the assertion that Pakistan had some agreement with the US government for drone attacks.
He said the Mehran Bank scandal should have been heard by the apex court decades ago. “However, it’s better late than never. We leave it to the judiciary to decide the case as the matter is sub-judice,” he said.
Gilani did not give a specific response to repeated questions about the next general elections, saying the decision would be made after consulting the coalition partners.
“The election date would be announced by the government rather than the chief justice,” he said, adding that the 20th Amendment had cut the powers of the president and the chief justice in naming the next caretaker government.
“Now the leader of the house and the leader of the opposition would name the caretakers,” he added.
About Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s criticism against the 20th Amendment, the prime minister said that Imran Khan should be happy to know that the president would not name the caretaker government.
When asked if he feared the rising popularity of the PTI, Gilani said Imran Khan was his “favourite” so there was no reason for him to be afraid of his popularity.
‘Confused’ PM finds it hard to implement SC’s new orders
