Govt believes in rule of law; to respect courts’ decisions: PM
ISLAMABAD, Feb 2 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and the country has a sovereign Parliament, independent judiciary, independent media and a vibrant civil society. “We believe in the rule of law and will respect the decisions of the courts in letter and spirit,” he maintained. The Prime Minister was talking to a group of Parliamentarians who called on him separately here at his Parliament House Chamber on Wednesday morning.
The Prime Minister asked the Parliamentarians to focus their debate on the national issues.
Referring to the American national involved in the killing of three civilians in Lahore, the Prime Minister said the matter is subjudice, and “we should not discuss it till the court decides”.
Referring to the Blasphemy Law, the Prime Minister categorically made it clear that the government has no intention to amend the law.
Neither he nor the Speaker National Assembly has constituted any Committee to consider the amendment, he said and added Ms. Sherry Rehman has also agreed to withdraw her bill according to the party policy.
The Prime Minister offered the religious parties to help the government in formulating the policies to check the misuse of Blasphemy Law against the citizens.
Condemning the blast in Peshawar on Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister lauded the innocent citizens who are sacrificing their lives for the safe future of our next generation.
He reiterated the resolve of the Government to root out the menace of extremism at all cost.
The Prime Minister said that the government is focusing on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood ravaged areas despite financial constraints.
He maintained that the completion of ongoing projects will help generate economic activity and create employment opportunities.
The Parliamentarians thanked the Prime Minister for disbursing the development budget irrespective of party affiliations. They apprised the Prime Minister of various development schemes in their respective constituencies.
Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Haji Munir Khan Orakzai, Ch Iftikhar Nazir, Mrs Khadeeja Waran, Lt Gen (Retd) Qadir Baloch, Ayaz Amir, Malik Nawab Sher Waseer, Ms Rubina Qaimkhani, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Omer Sohail and Ms Shehnaz Sheikh called on the Prime Minister.