0
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that no provincial government could launch a long march against the federal government because it was unconstitutional and unjustified and it would be treason.
He was speaking at a TV programme, “Prime Minister Online”, jointly telecast by the PTV and Samaa TV.
In reply to a question about the long march announced by the Punjab government, the prime minister said that such an act would be considered “treason” as it would be a step of the provincial government against the federal government. “It is totally unacceptable.”
Referring to the attitude of PML-N leaders, he said they had no principles. The PML-N and the Tehrik-i-Insaaf were making statements without any justification against the PPP, he said.
“I have full support of all coalition partners and the long march will not be supported by other political parties,” the prime minister said.
In reply to a question about achievements of the PPP government over the past four years, Mr Gilani said the biggest success of his government was the revival of the 1973 Constitution in its original shape and the consensus over the NFC award giving more rights to provinces. Granting autonomy to provinces and self-empowerment to Gilgit-Baltistan were also listed among the achievements.
He said when he was summoned to the Supreme Court for the verdict he was mentally prepared to go to the Adiala jail.
The prime minister said the sentence was just for a few seconds as it was till the rising of the court and the entire process was completed in just five to six minutes.
In reply to a question about his previous statement that he would resign if he was convicted, Mr Gilani said although a conviction was a conviction his previous interview was before consultation with his lawyers.
The prime minister said anyone could be summoned by a court on fake applications and such litigations could disturb affairs of the government. He said he had full authority to work as the prime minister.
Referring to the conviction of Mr Nawaz Sharif in the plane hijacking case, he said the conviction was overturned after eight years on his appeal.
He said there was absolutely no clash with courts as the verdict would be implemented in due course.
“I have a right of appeal, too. I want to use my right of appeal which is also being accepted by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” he said.
“I followed rules and procedures for not writing a letter to the Swiss Court and even it was in accordance with recommendations of the Ministry of Law,” he said.
“I appeared before the court three times and now let us wait for the detailed judgment and everyone should wait for it.”
The prime minister said he did not feel there was any moral obligation for him to resign as he was not sentenced on any moral ground.
It is the prerogative of parliament to rewrite the Constitution.
Referring to the corruption issue, the prime minister said there was more perception than reality in such reports.
Giving an example, he said his son Abdul Qadir Gilani was wrongly implicated in the Haj scandal, but after preliminary inquiry, even the Chief Justice said those were fake allegations.—APP
