PM urges nation to stand united to confront challenges

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday urged the nation to stand united to face the several challenges the country was facing and to thwart all attempts to destabilise Pakistan.

Addressing the lawyers convention organized by Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) at the Peshawar High Court, he said "There is no danger to the country if the 180 million people of Pakistan stand united."

Gilani, who is here on a day-long visit to the provincial metropolis, said the nation was resilient enough to face all sorts of challenges.

Commending the role of the legal fraternity during the historic judges' restoration movement, supremacy of Constitution, rule of law and restoration of sustainable democracy, he said the lawyers, civil society and political forces had played a lead role against dictatorship and for restoration of undiluted democracy in the country.

He said Father of the Nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah was also associated with legal profession and the parliamentary democracy was the result of the matchless struggle under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam.

Gilani recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had vowed to raise the national flag at the residence of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. He said his government was committed to the independence of judiciary.

He said democracy was the only way forward for Pakistan and it has been proven time and again that no other system can work in the country. He said he was also proud that his father was one of the signatories on the Pakistan Resolution signed at Lahore and he would not take any step that can damage Pakistan.

Gilani, however urged the people to rise above their petty differences and stand united to protect the sovereignty and independence of the country.