PM rules out threat to democratic system
MULTAN, Nov 26 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said judiciary and military were pro-democracy institutions and the future of parliament was bright. Talking to media-persons at the Walima ceremony of his son, Musa Gilani, he said some elements were trying to mislead the people in this respect. The Prime Minister said that no one wanted to derail democracy and the democratic system was not under any threat or danger, adding, the misconception should be removed at this moment. About the Supreme Court verdict on the NRO review petition, Prime Minister Gilani said the Supreme Court had given a verdict in the NRO case and the government had opted for a review petition which was its right. He said that the government welcomed the SC verdict on the NRO review petition. He said the government had always respected court’s decisions and would continue to do so in future.
He said the Parliament and judiciary had played an active role in the restoration of the Constitution and added that no one should have any doubts about intentions of the government.
 To a question about the NATO strike, the PM said that he had discussed the issue with the President, the Chief of Army Staff, the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary and was cutting short his Multan visit to fly back to Islamabad to have more deliberations in this regard.
 Gilani said that political parties must respect the mandate of the PPP-led government. He said the country was facing serious challenges and the government was taking steps to counter them while promoting national solidarity and consensus in the country.
 He said that everybody should play a role in promoting national solidarity. He welcomed an announcement by PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif for contesting the next Senate elections.
 About fertilizer shortage, PM Gilani said that black-marketing and hoarding were the main reasons. However, the government was importing fertilizer to overcome the shortage and the situation would improve soon, he added.
 He recalled that the price of wheat was only Rs 540 per mound when the PPP-led government had come to power. The PPP government had increased the price of wheat up to Rs 1050 per 40 kg to encourage the farming community and strengthen the agriculture sector, he added.