Embattled Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday appeared to reach out to the powerful army but the Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is reported to have adopted a tough stance and wants withdrawal of his statements critical of the military.
With Kayani by his side, Gilani said on Saturday that all state institutions will be allowed to play their role, remarks seen as an attempt to resolve the tense stand off between the civilian government and the military.
He described the armed forces as a “pillar of nation’s resilience and strength” and lauded their services in the defence of the country. “It has been my government’s policy to allow and enable all state institutions to play their role in their respective domains for the common good of the people.
“It is this desire to set good and healthy democratic traditions that has enabled us to seek strength from Parliament, which is the hallmark of a democratic government,” Gilani said at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Defence attended by his ministers and top army officials including Kayani.
The Prime Minister's seemingly conciliatory remarks came on a day when Kayani met President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency, in the midst of a tense stand-off between the military and the government over a move purportedly on behalf of Zardari seeking US help to avert an army coup.
There was no no official word on the hour-long meeting but reports said that Kayani told Zardari that he had reservations over Gilani's criticism of him and the ISI chief over replies submitted to the SC regarding the memo scandal.
‘Impeachment no threat to democracy’
Senior Pakistan People’s Party leader Aitzaz Ahsan said on Saturday that the impeachment of the President would not pose any threat to democracy in the country. Talking to reporters, he denied reports that he was working for any connection between the judiciary and the government. To a question, about his role as a bridge between the government and the judiciary, he dispelled the speculations and said he was not playing any such role.
Gilani didn't seek Britain's help
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani did not seek Britain’s help to prevent a military take-over in Pakistan. A spokesman of the PM House denied a news report which claimed that Gilani had telephoned the British high commissioner for his help to avert a coup.
Opposition to convince Zardari to resign
The opposition parties led by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have decided to convince President Asif Ali Zardari to resign before the general elections, political sources said.
“The parties think that the elections can only be transparent if President Zardari quits the presidency”, said a senior PML-N leader.
“The PML-N and other parties also want to adopt a cautious approach and avoid any confrontation with the government so that no third force (army) could take advantage of the political chaos”, he added.
The top leadership of the opposition parties have decided to unite at one platform and form a grand alliance to push the incumbent political dispensation out of power.