BEIJING:- Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said here on Saturday that the people of Pakistan will soon get a good news about the dawn of democracy in the country for which the political leaders and the masses have paid heavy price during the last eight years. Talking to the Chinese media before his departure for home, he said that President Pervez Musharraf is required to obtain fresh vote of confidence from the parliament; otherwise, the parliament being a sovereign and independent body, has the option to exercise the right to impeach him.
He pointed out that President Musharraf toppled the democratic government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999, thus causing a big blow to the floureshment of democratic institutions in the country.
He termed the dismissal of Nawz Sharif government as totally unconstitutional and illegal and said that the people of Pakistan had strongly reacted against it.
The Prime Minister further said that in the February 2008 elections, the people had given a clear-cut mandate, seeking change of faces and desired to put the country on the track of a true democracy.
He said that the parliament is sovereign and has the authority to take major decisions including the impeachment of the President.
He further said that the present government was voted to
power, because people wanted to change the system that was enforced against their
wishes.
He said that President Pervez Musharraf during the last eight
years took many unconstitutional steps, like enforcement of emergency and putting
ban on media, adding that these unpopular decisions were rejected by the people.
Prime Minister Gilani also said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life for the sake of democracy so “how can we comprise on undemocratic and unconsitiutional arrangements.”
He said that he had been working with the President as per requirements of the Constitution of the country, adding he did not feel it appropriate that President should prolong his stay in the office against the wishes of the people.
Replying to a question regarding Pakistan’s efforts to curb terrorism, Gilani said that his government attaches high priority for the establishment of peace, stability and rule of law in the country.
This is imperative for the economic development of the country and for improving the living conditions of the masses.
He said that there has been flight of capital from the country, if one explosion takes place, the people feel insecure and take their investment abroad.
He assured that his government would adopt all possible steps to root out terrorism.
The Prime Minister also underlined the need to check the cross-border terrorism on Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Pakistan, he said has already set up 1000 check posts, while there were only 100 check posts on other side of the border.
He said that he has requested Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his recent meeting with him to pay more attention for monitoring cross-border movement, adding that there is need to remain vigilant against free movement of the militants.
Pakistan, he said has provided shelter to 300 million Afghans, which is causing difficulty for the people of our own country, adding that we want their early return to their homeland with dignity and honour.
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