Allies to decide on early polls: PM

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday said that next elections were on schedule, but only a consensus amongst the ruling allies could decide if they could be held earlier than the schedule, which is set for next year. “The distance between the PM House and Adiala jail was still the same,” Gilani said, while answering questions regarding the contempt of court case against him in the apex court. Talking to a group of journalists at the PM’s House, Gilani said, “We are not afraid of jails, and would go back to our homes after finishing our mandate the people had given us.” To a question, he said, the leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, did not consult him on the question of early elections. “Irrespective of whatever Mian Sahib says, we would continue with our policy of reconciliation,” he added. He vowed to streamline relations with the US on basis of mutual respect as well as interest. He said that his government was yet to decide about the restoration of NATO supplies through the country. He also vowed that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led government would not compromise on the national sovereignty as well as security. Gilani, however, admitted that the presence of Osama bin Laden in the country was an intelligence failure. He was hopeful that the US would respect the parliament’s resolution that has set guideline for streamlining bilateral relations. Gilani said that the government wanted to resolve problems of the country through reconciliation. He said that the recommendations of the committee would be implemented in letter and spirit. He also thanked Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for supporting the establishment of Seraiki province in Punjab. He added that the ANP and MQM had also backed the government’s decision.