Islamabad: Against the backdrop of continuing tensions between his government and the military, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that confrontations between state institutions can be avoided if they remain within their constitutional limits.
“All institutions must do their work while remaining within constitutional limits. There will be no conflict if the institutions remain and work within their constitutional limits,” Gilani told reporters at the Bhutto family’s mausoleum at Garhi Khuda Baksh in Sindh province.
Speaking to the media after offering prayers at the grave of slain former Premier Benazir Bhutto on the fourth anniversary of her assassination, Gilani said that some elements were engaged in efforts to “create divisions between state institutions”. He did not identify these elements. “Earlier, efforts were made to create a divide between the President and the Prime Minister but they did not succeed. Then they tried to create differences with the judiciary by talking of the de-notification of judges by the Prime Minister but they failed,” he said.
“They hatched a third conspiracy by saying that may be I want to de-notify (army chief) Gen (Ashfaq Parvez) Kayani and ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha,” he said.
The ruling PPP will uphold the supremacy of Parliament and work within the Constitution, he said. “I understand that if there is any deviation from the Constitution, there will be a fear of confrontation. In the presence of the Constitution, there is no danger of confrontation,” he added.
Gilani’s remarks came amid tensions between his government and the powerful army over a secret memo that sought the US help to stave off a possible coup after the killing of Osama bin Laden in May.
The Prime Minister said he had already dispelled rumours about the sacking of the two top Generals by his government. “We are a democratic force and we believe in Benazir Bhutto’s philosophy of reconciliation. We want to take everyone along,” he said.
Asked about the government’s failure to prosecute those responsible for Bhutto’s assassination, Gilani evaded a direct response and said the matter was in court. “Her killing was not only of national importance but it was an international issue. The investigation has been almost completed and the matter is sub-judice,” he said. (PTI)