11-12-2011, 10:21 AM
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 Memo case: reply to SC will be submitted in time: PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterating his commitment to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Saturday categorically stated that he would rather quit politics than betray the party.
"I am committed to the party. I am with the party and I would rather quit politics than betray the party," Gilani responded in an unequivocal tone, when he was posed a question with reference to some leaders who hailed from southern Punjab and had left the party.
Talking to a private TV channel, the prime minister played down the memo issue, saying Mansoor Ijaz, the writer of the so-called memo and who is also not a Pakistani, had no credibility. Gilani said when the leader of the opposition raised the question of the memo in parliament, he replied that he would summon ambassador Husain Haqqani to Pakistan and will not condemn him unheard as per the norms of justice.
Prime Minister Gilani said Haqqani came to Pakistan and he explained his position in the presence of the president, army chief and DG ISI. He said he asked Husain Haqqani to resign for a fair trial to take place and he immediately referred the matter to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS).
To a question, Gilani said the joint session of parliament would be summoned after the PCNS presents its recommendations.
He said Mansoor Ijaz did not have any credibility and he had even maligned other institutions in his writings. He, however, added that as the matter of memo is sub-judice before the court, and the parliamentary committee was working on it, therefore, everyone should wait for the final decision.
To a question about submitting a reply on the petition filed by Mian Nawaz Sharif in the Supreme Court on the issue of the memo, the prime minister said the reply will be submitted in time.
About President Zardari's health condition, he said the health of the president was improving and he was feeling comfortable and taking rest in a Dubai hospital according to the advice of doctors.
"He (President Zardari) is improving. The president talked to me on the phone yesterday (Friday), when Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi had come to meet me at the Prime Minister House," Gilani said. "Anybody can get sick, and he (Zardari) is also an average human being."
The prime minister said he and the family of President Zardari insisted he should go abroad for medical tests, a check-up and treatment.
Gilani in this respect also cited some security reasons and recalled that when Hakim Ali Zardari, father of the president, was admitted to Pims in Islamabad, there were some security threats. He said he and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were present at the helipad to see off President Zardari.
He said since Bilawal was in constant touch with his father that was why a statement about the health of the president was issued from the Prime Minister House.
Gilani said it is not important that he remains the prime minister or not, but parliament would complete its tenure.
About the statement of Nawaz Sharif regarding delay in the arrest of the murderers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, the premier said the matter is sub-judice.
Prime Minister Gilani said criticism on the performance of parliament was unjustified as collective wisdom could not be wrong and no other party could achieve miracles.
About the high prices of essential commodities, the prime minister said that these are due to the global recession.
About the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case before the Supreme Court and the issue of sending a letter to the Swiss court, the prime minister said he was mentally prepared for all challenges and will cross the bridge when it will come.
He said one of the most important challenges before him was law and order situation due to the war on terrorism, adding the whole nation is united on this important issue.
Gilani said the government was working on a war footing to resolve the issue of electricity loadshedding and important decisions will be taken within a month.
He said the other important challenge before the government is to improve the performance of PIA, Railways and Steel Mills and efforts are being made to tackle these challenges.
On the issue of the Nato attacks on Pakistani posts, the premier said an internal inquiry was being conducted and it will take up all the aspects. "Let the final inquiry report come, then the government will take a decision." He said Pakistan is not part of the international inquiry on this incident.
Regarding the government's immediate reaction on the Salala issue, he said, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) was summoned on the same day and it took decisions that included halting the supply line for Nato and asking the US to vacate the Shamsi Airbase. Later the cabinet also decided to boycott the Bonn Conference, he added.
About negotiations with the Taliban, the prime minister said, "We are already adopting the 3D (Dialogue, Deterrence and Development) policy, and it is a continuous process."
Regarding Pak-US relations, the prime minister said, "True friendship starts after a quarrel."
"We want to maintain an excellent relationship with the US based on mutual respect."
Prime Minister Gilani said the country will stay and all the institutions are responsible and the publication of one article will not have any effect on national security.
He said he considered the media as a source of information and the PPP always supported it and remained at the forefront for the freedom of the media and restoration of the judiciary.
He said the 1973 Constitution given by the fathers of the PPP has been restored in its original form, adding the PPP has the patience to tolerate the criticism of the media.
Gilani said as chief executive, he had taken thousands of decisions in the last four years, but he was criticised in only four or five cases in the media. He said those cases being criticised in the press are also sub-judice in the courts.
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