Gilani rules out chance of clash amongst institutions

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minsiter Yusuf Raza Gilani in a televised address to the nation on Sunday said if a Prime Minister denies a news report, it must be accepted on all forums.

The Prime Minister in his address said although some people said ratification through parliament of executive order restoring judges is necessary, ‘I continued to stick to my decision of reinstatement of judiciary’.

The PM said that he once referred this during his speech at National Assembly.

Calling for mutual respect amongst state institutions, he said there was no chance of any clash as the government strongly believes in a policy of reconciliation and would continue to tread on this path.

“The policy of reconciliation will bring political powers and state institutions closer; with public welfare being the focal point."

The Prime Minister said he has ordered inquiry into the news report that caused all the furor so that the nation may know who tried a midnight-assault on relations between the judiciary and the government.

He said he denied the news report soon thereafter. The President too termed it a false news.

"But even then if it is not accepted, then I may remind that we are violating the principles of mutual respect, which is the soul of Constitution of Pakistan and is Parliamentary in nature," Gilani said.

Gilani said being the Leader of the House he had announced restoration of the judges. "If he announces restoration of the judges, it is accepted. Similarly if he denies a news, then keeping in view the stature of the position, it too should be accepted on all forums."

"If a false news is given preference over the words of the Prime Minister, then it would be an insult to the stature of the Prime Minister," he remarked.

The Prime Minister asked: “If we can work in unison with the Army and political forces then why can’t we work with the judiciary?”

He also referred to NFC Award, passage of 18th amendment and successful operation in Swat, terming these as achievements of the incumbent government.

The Prime Minister made the speech in the presence of Chief Ministers of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan, Senior Ministers of Punjab and Sindh and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir.

Gilani reminded that when he decided to restore judges through an executive order he was told that he could not do it and it would be a violation of the Constitution and the action could come under Article 6.

“But I did not listen to those voices. I did not give any importance to any danger and announced restoration of judges,” he said adding “I was also told that validation of parliament was necessary for the executive order. I referred to this in one of my speeches that people were saying this to me but I stood by my decision to restore judges. But this speech of mine was given different meanings. I made it clear at that time that I had not given my opinion but only explained the background in which I took that decision.”

The Prime Minister said, “if the mediamen stand witness that behind the news of change in government, various social crimes and gambling are taking place then we have to think where we are heading.”

“If in the guise of news the earnings of common man in stock exchange and businesses are sunk then the nation should think who are its friends and enemies,” he added.
The Prime Minister reminded the nation that they were living in a parliamentary democratic system, which stood on the principle of division (of power) and mutual respect.

“This (democracy) teaches us respect for every state institution including judiciary, legislature, executive and media”, he said.

The Prime Minister said this system also provides respect for the armed forces and law enforcing institutions, whose Jawans sacrifice their lives for country’s defence; for executive, which maintains the country’s administrative affairs by working day and night; and for parliament which does legislation and being an elected institution is considered supreme.

“The Prime Minister is said to be the Leader of the House in this system and deserves respect”, he added.

“The words of the Prime Minister, be it verbal or written, are respected. If he utters verbally that the house arrest of judges should be ended, then they could not be kept confined. If he (the Prime Minister) announces the restoration of honourable judges, that is accepted”, Gilani said.

Similarly, if he denies a news, keeping in view the stature of his position, it should be accepted at all forums, the Prime Minister added.

He said judges should come together with the government at a forum to pursue the goal of social, economic and legal justice.

“If the government and judiciary take steps together then we can administer justice to poor people of the country. We can counter forces of oppression. We can bring those to justice, who usurp rights of people.”

“If we can work together with the army and create consensus among the political forces then certainly we can go along with the judiciary,” he added.

Gilani said as a public representative he understood the need for justice. He called for improvement in administrative and judicial system.

He vowed to take every step for provision of justice to people and said the government would welcome any suggestions in the cause of justice.