PM for promoting tolerance in democracy
LAHORE, Nov 4 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said patience and tolerance were vital elements of a stable democracy and political parties must respect people’s sentiments vis-a-vis mandate of other political parties. “Protest rallies are no threat to the democratic system in the country and the detractors may do their heart’s bidding,” he said during a meeting with the reporters at his residence here. Gilani said by-polls would be held against all seats vacated through resignations or dissolution of Punjab Assembly. The prime minister said the PML-N was enjoying two-in-one benefits by ruling in the Punjab and playing the opposition in the National Assembly, adding that the PML-N wanted to reassure its status as opposition by criticising the federal government while it had failed badly to conceal its bad governance in Punjab.
The premier said political parties and masses wanted to see democracy prosper in the country and would not let democracy derail at any cost.
 Gilani said he had never claimed that the government would complete its constitutional term, but had always maintained the assembly to fulfil its tenure, adding the general elections will be held in 2013.
About Shahbaz Sharif’s anti-president diatribe, he said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s derogatory remarks against the constitutional office of president had earned resentment even in his own party.
 Regarding PTI rally, the prime minister said gathering of a large number of people in the PTI rally was a reflection of people’s disappointment in Punjab Government’s policies, adding it was premature to predict any thing regarding PTI Chief Imran Khan’s future since he was a novice in politics.
 With reference to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India in trade, Gilani said national interests would be priority in trade dialogue with India. He said the proposal to grant MFN status in trade to India was endorsed by the federal cabinet.
 PM Gilani said the government had to bear the brunt of the media as well as the parliament more than any other party despite the fact that PPP government had always been in the vanguard of the movement for the supremacy of the parliament and freedom of media in the country. 
 “PPP is the symbol of federation and it is taking tangible steps to lead the country out of all crises including the energy crisis”, he said.
 Regarding Makhdoom Shahabuddin Qureshi, he said Makhdoom Shahabuddin had been elevated as the President PPP Southern Punjab in order to organise PPP in the Southern Punjab, adding that PPP supported the creation of new provinces and this demand was part of PPP manifesto.
 About Afghanistan, he said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan.