ISLAMABAD – Ruling out the possibility of clash between the institutions, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his Government would continue following the path of reconciliation with the aim to promoting the mutual respect amongst the state institutions.
Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said if the Government could work with Armed Forces and evolve consensus among the political forces then it could also work with judiciary to take the country forward and provide speedy justice to the masses.
Flanked by the Chief Ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, AJK Premier, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, and Senior Ministers from Punjab and Sindh, Prime Minister Gilani said that the elected leadership from all the four provinces, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan was sitting with him and it was the dividend of their policy of reconciliation. He, once again, reiterated his GovernmentÂ’s resolve to take all the stakeholders on board for the collective good of the people of the country.
He stressed the need for collective endeavour on part of the Government and judiciary for the provision of legal, social and economic justice to the people, for which his Government was ready to sit with judiciary to evolve some viable mechanism. “For provision of justice to people I am ready to take any step and whatever suggestion will come up in this regard, my Government will welcome it,” he added.
Referring to the false news about withdrawal of judgesÂ’ restoration notice, he said it was immediately denied by him and President Zardari too had termed it false but even then it was not accepted and it could be the violation of the principles of mutual respect among the institutions. And it was tantamount to insulting the very Office of Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said that he had ordered inquiry into the news report that caused all the mess so that the nation might know who had conspired to harm the relations between the judiciary and the Government.
Recalling the release of judges soon after his nomination as the Leader of the House, Premier Gilani said, “If I announce restoration of the judges, it is accepted. Similarly, if I deny a news, then keeping in view the stature of the position, it too should be accepted by all forums.”
“If a false news is given preference over the words of the Prime Minister, it would be an insult to the stature of the Prime Minister,” he remarked.
“If the Government and judiciary take steps together then we can administer justice to the poor people of the country. We can counter forces of oppression. We can bring those to justice, who usurp rights of people.”
Gilani said that as a public representative, he understood the need of 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.
Premier Gilani reminded 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. 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 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 that this system also provided respect for the Armed Forces and law enforcing institutions, whose men sacrificed their lives for countryÂ’s defence; for executive, which maintained the countryÂ’s administrative affairs by working day and night; and for Parliament, which did legislation.
“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, they could not be kept confined. If he (the Prime Minister) announces the restoration of honourable judges, that is accepted,” Gilani said.
Shedding some light on his GovernmentÂ’s achievements, which he also attributed to their policy of reconciliation, Prime Minister Gilani said that they had brought the provinces together and consensus NFC Award was signed.
Similarly besides restoring the original shape of the Constitution, the passage of 18th Amendment had enhanced both the monetary and administrative powers of the provinces.
They in support of the provinces had declared war against price-hike and would come down hard on profiteers and hoarding mafias. He also announced the GovernmentÂ’s plan to reorganise eight public sector institutions so that their financial burden on the national exchequer could be reduced. He also referred to their efforts, which resulted in European Union allowing access to Pakistani goods in their markets.
He also gave a brief resume to the GovernmentÂ’s efforts for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people and also thanked the international community, which had come all-out in aid to the Government of Pakistan in handling this calamity.
He, once again, reiterated his GovernmentÂ’s unflinching support to the people of Kashmir and said that they would continue highlighting the ongoing unprecedented programme of the innocent Kashmir people at the hands of Indian forces.
About the Accountability process he said that being a politician they were subjected to accountability at various stages: first at the time of their nomination papers with the returning officer where even a default of a utility bill could result in their disqualification; the second stage was public accountability who could vote them out; and the third stage was Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.
He further said that they were working on mechanism of transparent accountability and as soon as the Parliament would evolve consensus on it, the same would be given the shape of law.
He said that they would complete their mandated term and would go to the court of masses in 2013 to seek their justice.
He also reiterated his partyÂ’s stance that they would continue to follow the path of politics of reconciliation to evolve harmony and cohesion among the state institutions and political forces.