Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday challenged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to bring a no-confidence motion against him, impeach the president and resign from assemblies before going for a long march.
“If anyone has the courage to call for a no-confidence motion against me or call for the president’s impeachment, they should do so,” Gilani said.
The PM was talking to reporters after a meeting with PML-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi at their residence. Gilani said as long he enjoyed the support of parliament and the allied parties, he would remain the prime minister of the country. He said he could not be removed from office through undemocratic methods because gone were the days when the president dismissed prime ministers under Article 58(2B). Gilani said if the N-League wanted to go for a long march, it should first resign from assemblies as there was a democratic government in the country, not a dictatorship.
He said he knew well that the PML-N would not dare go for a long march, as participation of the Punjab government against any act against the federation would be tantamount to treason. He asked the PML-N to show courage and bring a no-confidence motion against him.
Gilani said the court had not disqualified him. He was convicted for an act that was legal and constitutional. “The prime minister has immunity on actions taken in discharge of official duties.” Shujaat said Gilani was still the prime minister and those who denied the fact had themselves attacked the apex court. Gilani said the decision to reopen NATO supply routes had not been taken yet and the invitation to Chicago summit was unconditional.
The PM agreed with the formula floated by Chaudhry Shujaat to end load shedding. He said load shedding was not just an issue for the government but for all political parties. He said the government took its responsibility and was trying to resolve it considering it a major challenge. He clarified that provinces were free to generate electricity and questioned why provinces were not producing electricity and blaming the Centre for the electricity shortage. Gilani said projects for adding 1,000MWs of electricity were in hand, while negotiations were going on for the import of 500MW of electricity from India and 1,000MW from Iran. In addition, Thar coal, Mangla Dam raising, Diamer Bhasha dam and other projects were also being implemented to add electricity to the system.
Gilani dares PML-N to bring no-confidence motion
