LAHORE – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday predicted that there would be coalition governments in the future, and the political parties should be mentally prepared for such a political set-up in the country.
“Forget about the concept of forming governments with a two-thirds majority. Now coalition governments would be formed in future,” the premier said in an informal chat with a group of journalists at his DHA residence. Prime Minister’s brother and member Punjab Assembly Syed Mujtaba Gilani was also present on the occasion.
Gilani said given the voting pattern in the previous elections, political parties should now understand that it would not be possible for any party to gain a two-thirds majority in the assemblies.
Giving examples of India and Great Britain, the PM said the idea of forming coalition governments was also gaining acceptance across the world. “We will have to cultivate the habit of working together,” he remarked.
Talking about current political set-up in the country, he said it was vital that all coalition govts in the country remain intact.
He believed that no single party could resolve the problems being faced by the country. “Now is the time to meet all challenges collectively,” he said, adding if the present coalition governments failed to deliver, it would be very unfortunate and bad for the country.
The prime minister expressed his strong belief in the policy of political reconciliation, saying it was the only way to tackle all the challenges.
He said present assemblies should complete their tenure, as this would bring political stability in the country. “If we fail to deliver now, the people would lose faith in democracy,” he further stated.
Replying to a question about taking the PML-N leadership into confidence over granting of extension in service to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the prime minister said it was purely an administrative decision and he did not want to make it a political one.
He, however, said he had tried to contact Mian Nawaz Sharif two hours before the announcement of the decision to inform him about the development, but he was not available.
“His son took my call and told me that his father was travelling and hence not in a position to talk to him,” he told journalists.
Commenting on US Chief of the Joint Staff Admiral Mike Mullen about the alleged presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, the premier said, “If anybody has actionable evidence in this regard, the govt would take necessary action.”
He said Pakistan had strategic relations with the United States, and the latter needed Pakistan to fight the war against terrorism. “But it is all the more important in this context that we should trust each other,” he stressed.
Talking about Pak-India relations, Gilani said all outstanding issues could be resolved only by negotiations and not through wars. “Both countries house a greater number of poor, and we should spend our resources on their welfare,” he said.
Responding to a question about the controversy on Afghan Transit Trade Agreement, the PM said he had instructed the foreign minister and the ministers for finance and trade to take the Parliament and the media into confidence about the agreement, which, he said, was yet to be approved by the cabinet.
About political developments in Azad Kashmir, he said it was an internal affair of the Muslim Conference, and the government had kept itself away from whatever was happening there. “We will accept whatever decision is made by it,” he assured.
Talking about achievements of his government, Gilani mentioned ending the dictatorship, supremacy of the Constitution, independent judiciary and consensus over NFC Award as the steps, which had strengthened the democratic system.
He said it was the biggest success of the present government to unite all political forces on one platform for eradication of terrorism, adding that it was the reason behind governmentÂ’s success in its efforts to tackle the issue.
He also especially mentioned Benazir Income Support Programme by which the govt was providing relief to the poor in a transparent manner.
Agencies add: Gilani said the govt would give the people of Fata the gift of democracy after the successful completion of the ongoing operation against the extremists.
He went on to say that unlike the Kalabagh Dam, which had become an issue after being politicised, the govt made sure that the Bhasha Dam project would not fall a prey to politics.
Gilani said “No politician can ever say that he supports the terrorists.”