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LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterating the commitment of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to continue to work for the country, dared detractors that he could not be cowed down by the prevailing political scene in the country.
“The PPP rendered great sacrifices for the freedom of judiciary as well as the media”, he said while addressing the Lahore Bar Association lawyers during a ceremony at Al-Hamra here Saturday.
The prime minister said there was a supreme constitution, an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant society in the country, adding “Had there been no constitution, it would have been difficult to keep the federation intact”.
The prime minister said the PPP was the custodian of the constitution and it restored the 1973 Constitution to its true spirit.
Regarding the negative propaganda of the opponents, Gilani said the PPP respected democratic institutions and democratic traditions in letter and spirit.
Gilani said the PPP favoured elections and safeguarded the right to sloganeering and political activism.
“I greet President Asif Ali Zardari as his prime minister has been invited to address the largest bar association of Asia”, he added.
Lauding the role of lawyers community in various eras of the country's history, the prime minister said that lawyers were in the vanguard of Pakistan movement under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, adding that PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had the unconditional support of lawyers in his movement for the empowerment of the masses.
