No threat to democracy; Govt to honor courts’ decision on NRO: PM
RAWALPINDI, Nov 28 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday rejected the assumption of any threat to government or democracy, saying such hearsays were mere speed-breakers, aimed at lowering our valour. “We are moving straight and in the right direction. Insha Allah there is no threat to this government or democracy”, Gilani told the newsmen here after visiting Adiala jail, where he spent five years of his imprisonment before reaching the PM House.
The Prime Minister there was also
a surge of political maturity in the country, adding, PML (N) Qaid Mian
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also did not want the derailment of democratic
system. He said the PPP’s alliance with MQM as well as other coalition partners would remain intact. “When I took oath, there were
talks that I will remain PM for three months only. Then after three
months, it was said, three months more. Now I am in office for the last
over 18 months. These things are mere speed-breakers to lower our
valour”, the Prime Minister remarked. To a question about NRO, Prime
Minister Gilani said the PPP has always faced courts and cases. “Be it
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaheed, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali
Zardari or other leaders, facing courts was not a new thing for us. The
PPP faced accountability in every era,” he added. As far as the lapsing of NRO
Ordinance on November 28 is concerned, the Prime Minister maintained,
“We will honor the courts’ decisions.” About his relationship with
President Zardari, the Prime Minister said transferring the powers as
Chairman National Command Authority to him by the President was a true
litmus test of the relations between him and the President. Prime Minister Gilani further
said, President Zardari believes in the balance of powers between the
President and the Parliament and was committed to repealing the 17th
Constitutional Amendment as well as 58-2 (B).
Prime Minister Gilani while briefing newsmen about his visit to Adiala jail said he was well aware of problems of prisoners of Adiala, as he has spent five years in this jail.
The Prime Minister also visited the women prisoners block, met juvenile and elderly prisoners and also visited the A-Class block and talked to old companions.
Gilani said he will advise the President to announce three months remission for prisoners on the ocassion of Eid-ul-Azha.
The Prime Minister announced to pay Rs. 9.7 million to get those poor prisoners released from Adiala jail, who were unable to pay their fines and were undergoing additional imprisonment.
He also presented a cheque of Rs. 1.65 million to IG Jails for installation of a new X-Rays machine in the jail hospital.
The Prime Minister also announced the provision of two fully equipped ambulances, water filtration plant, drug rehabilitation center for the jail, and a school van for children of jail staff.
Gilani also announced the construction of a new barrack to cater to the requirement of the jail.
Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed Eid gifts among the women, juvenile and elderly prisoners. He also visited the jail hospital and inquired about the health of prisoners.
PPP leaders Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Zamurd Khan, Ms. Farzana Raja and Abdul Qadir Gilani MPA, the son of Prime Minister Gilani were also present on the occasion.
