Parliament to decide on Nato supplies resumption: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that while former ruler Pervez Musharraf gave into US demands on a single telephone call, the decision to resume Nato supplies would be made by the parliament, FTNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in Lahore, the prime minister said that as opposed to the appeasing attitude of the Musharraf government, not only had the current democratic government suspended Nato supplies to Afghanistan, it had also boycotted the Bonn conference.

He further said that the parliament would decide the issue of resuming supplies to Nato forces.

The premier said the government was functioning in accordance with the mandate bestowed upon it by the people.

He said that his appearance before the Supreme Court showed that he respected the judiciary and its orders.

The prime minister reiterated the pledge that the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government would come up with solutions of issues faced by the public on a day-to-day basis.

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Issue of immunity sub judice, says Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party’s Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday said it was inappropriate to hold debates on the issue of the immunity which had become a sub judice matter.

Speaking to a private news channel, he said the media should avoid airing speculative content about an issue that was sub judice and there should be no discussions on the subject.

The media should hold debates on this issue once it has been decided upon by the court, he added.

He said PPP leader and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan had clarified his stance on the issue in two different talk shows.

To a question, Kaira said Ahsan was maintaining his previous position that the president enjoyed immunity.

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I'm the first longest-serving premier in Pakistan's history: Gilani

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday said that he is the first prime minister in the history of Pakistan who has served for the longest period. Gilani responded to a question about the possibility that he might have to step down as a result of the contempt of court proceedings against him.

Speaking to the media at the convocation of a university in Lahore, Gilani said, “the only stable position rests with Allah.”

The premier said that it is the job of the opposition to criticise the government and the people should let them fulfill their duty. He asked what the opposition did when they were in power.

The premier said that the government’s job is to follow the mandate of the people.

He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government respects the judiciary and strives to maintain equilibrium in all the institutions.

In a response to a question regarding the November 28 Nato attack on Pakistani check post, Gilani said that the government has taken stern actions against the attack.

“We got the US forces vacate the Shamsi Base, boycotted the Bonn Conference and blocked Nato supplies through Pakistani routes,” he said. “We did this because we are not answerable to any other country.”

The premier said that the dictators who came into power proclaimed about ending corruption and poverty, but they failed to do so despite staying into power for 10 years.

“They still say that the nation is missing them and they want to come back. We want to tell them that there is no chance for them to come back.”

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Posted in: NATIONAL