Cabinet reshuffle is routine matter, but my resignation is not: PM

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Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the reshuffle in the cabinet was a routine matter, but his resignation was not. After chairing the National Workshop on Food Security in Pakistan, he was responding to a query regarding media reports about a reshuffle in the federal cabinet and his possible resignation from the premiership if convicted on the contempt of court case. He added that the contempt of court case against him would be decided by the Supreme Court.
When a journalist reminded him of his earlier statement in which he had said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was his “friend” and asked if he was in contact with his friend for an out-of-court settlement, Gilani replied that the talk of an out-of-court settlement was “contempt of court”. He continued, “Once a friend, always a friend. His (chief justice’s) two friends — one who was part of his restoration (Yousaf Raza Gilani) and the other who was part of the lawyers’ movement (Aitzaz Ahsan) — both are present in the court in the case.”
On a question on holding local government elections, the prime minister said the issue had become a provincial subject after the passage of the 18th Amendment, and the federal government could not interfere in provincial matters. He said there was political stability in the country, and there was nothing to worry about in the presence of an independent judiciary, media, and vibrant civil society.
When asked about the possibility of reopening NATO supplies, the prime minister said the parliament’s decision in this regard would be accepted. Gilani said the parliament had the mandate of the people and it was not an easy task to satisfy every single person.
Responding to a question about the rightwing Difa-e-Pakistan Council’s opposition to the reopening of NATO routes, the premier said that NATO supplies were neither closed nor would be reopened on their (DPC’s) advice. He said that religious parties had also signed the foreign policy report of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS).
Regarding opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s concerns over the PCNS’ recommendations on foreign policy and terms of engagement with the US in war on terror, the premier said the national security committee was not constituted by Nisar and it had the representation of all political parties, including the party of the leader of the opposition. “Whoever has reservations would be given ample opportunity to express their point of view.

1 COMMENT

  1. I wonder what color is the sky in gillani's world. Whatever he's smoking, he needs to pass it around. Must be some good stuff :)) He's the most corrupt, incompetent leader Pakistan has ever had in its history.

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