Gilani rejects opposition’s agitational politics; says any change an come only through parliament
ISLAMABAD, Oct 5 (APP): Rejecting the opposition’s agitational politics, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said any change of government could come only through parliament and a vote of no confidence. “The opposition is all alone. If they want any change, they can bring a vote of no confidence in the parliament,” Gilani told newsmen after inaugurating a photo exhibition here at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA). The Prime Minister also rejected the opposition’s criticism about government’s policies, particularly over the power outages, and said the opposition was just provoking masses for agitation over an issue which would be resolved within 48 hours.
“When this issue (power outages) will be resolved in 48 hours, they (the opposition) will make another excuse,” he remarked and added that the masses were not on the path of agitation, rather they were being provoked.
 The Prime Minister said the opposition was afraid of the next Senate elections, scheduled in March 2012, in which Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is set to secure a clear majority.
 Gilani, in response to a question, termed the opposition’s intentions to hold protest in front of the Presidency as “unfair” and said, “the President is part of the parliament.”
 The Prime Minister also rejected the perceptions of splitting of government allies and said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) was very much part of the PPP-led government and would remain with the government.
 “PML-Q is with us and it will contest the (next) elections with us. The opposition is all alone and will be isolated, as it has no agenda (for masses)”,
The Prime Minister said the people of Pakistan were brave as they had faced various challenges, including floods, energy shortages and the war on terror with courage. The masses believed that the PPP-led government would resolve their problems, including the electricity shortage.
To another question, Gilani remarked, dengue and Imran Khan were enough to upset the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
 “I do not want to comment on Punjab government, as they are too busy in fighting dengue,” he remarked.
 To another question, the Prime Minister said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were still part of the cabinet and extended their support in constitutional amendments as well as in the democratic process. He hoped that MQM would side with the government.
 About the security problems in Balochistan, the Prime Minister rejected the demand of Governor Rule in Balochistan as “undemocratic” and said, “I do not accept it.”
 Gilani also rejected the opposition’s criticism over the implementation of Balochistan package, saying in this respect he would give details in a press conference.
 In response to another question, the Prime Minister said the PPP-led government gave 100 percent and 50 percent raise in the salaries to military and civil servants, respectively.
 About high petroleum prices, he said those were adjusted according to fluctuations in their prices in international market.
To a question about Pak-US relations, the Prime Minister said, “there come ups and downs in the relations, but now these have started moving in the right direction.”
 He said Pakistan was following its three Ds (Dialogue, Development and Deterrence) policy in the war against terrorism and militancy and mentioned that despite criticism from the world, the country first opted to hold dialogue with militants in Swat and Malakand and launched the operation only after the dialogue process failed and the writ of the government was challenged.
 About relations between Afghanistan and India, with particular reference to the recent visit of Afghan President to New Delhi, Gilani said the two countries being sovereign states had the right to maintain bilateral relations.
 The Prime Minister, however, added that he received a message from President Karzai for an early meeting with him.