ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the government would support a consensus bill to repeal the 17th Amendment.

Talking to reporters after a visit to the Information Ministry on Thursday, he said a committee had been constituted to examine amendments proposed by different political parties and an agreed draft would be prepared in light of its recommendations.

Mr Gilani said the government was committed to scrapping the 17th Amendment and had no intention of backtracking. However, he said, a two-thirds majority was required for repealing the amendment.

He said the Pakistan People’s Party had opposed the 17th Amendment in the National Assembly. He said the party had also opposed the setting up of the National Security Council.

Answering a question, he said he didn’t think there was any possibility of a war between India and Pakistan. He also said that the two countries should work together in the fight against terrorism.

The prime minister said there was tremendous public pressure on both governments to resolve bilateral problems through dialogue.

Asked to comment on his former national security adviser Maj-Gen (retd) Mahmood Ali Durrani’s statement that he had no powers to sack him, Mr Gilani said the notification about his dismissal had already been issued.