June 29, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 24, 1429

LAHORE, June 28: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani says the government believes in independence of the judiciary and rule of law and is committed to restoring the deposed judges.

The prime minister said this while talking to reporters at the airport after his arrival in the provincial metropolis on Saturday.

He said the draft of the constitutional package had been handed over to coalition partners which would be tabled in parliament after having consensus on it.Parliament, he said, was a supreme institution and any decision about the constitutional package would be taken in it.

Mr Gilani said that a complete unity existed among the coalition partners and in case of any major difference of opinion on any point it would be resolved through dialogue.

He said the PPP was committed to the continuity of the coalition government to strengthen democracy in the country.

“If the coalition government doesn’t succeed it will be something very unfortunate and harmful for the democracy,” he said and added that all decisions were being taken after due consultation.

He said he hoped that all coalition partners would play their role to keep the alliance intact.

The prime minister termed the disqualification of Mian Nawaz Sharif a great setback for the democracy.

He said he had assured the NWFP government during his visit there that the centre believed in provincial autonomy and it was the responsibility of the provincial government to protect the life and property of citizens.

Mr Gilani said the government believed in negotiations instead of operation against militants to resolve all issues. However, he said it was up to the NWFP government to take any decision in this regard.—APP