ISLAMABAD, April 12: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Monday reaffirmed the government's commitment to continue working for strengthening democratic institutions. He was presiding over a meeting of senators belonging to the PML and its allies in the Senate, at the Prime Minister's House.

The prime minister said that stability and continuity of the democratic system was "our most cherished goal and the NSC Bill introduced recently in the upper house of parliament aimed at achieving this objective."

Criticizing the opposition for what he termed raising a hue and cry in this regard, he said it was "unwarranted and uncalled for.' Mr Jamali said that the Bill would in no way encroach upon parliament's sovereignty.

The Prime Minister urged senators to ensure regular presence in parliament and to actively participate in the debate. Matters relating to the Upper House of the Parliament with special reference to the NSC Bill also came under discussion during the meeting.

A number of senators, who spoke on the occasion, expressed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and extended support for the NSC Bill. -APP