Gilani says those looking for short-cuts to come into power should wait till elections for two years
KUWAIT, Feb 15 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while disapproving the criticism of the present government by taking up one after another issue said Tuesday those looking for some ‘short-cuts’ to come into power should wait for next elections after two years.“No short-cuts. We have come through a democratic process.  If they want to come to power, they should wait for years”, Gilani told a gathering of Pakistani expatriates here on the second day of his two-day official visit to Kuwait, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations, particularly in trade and economy.
The Prime Minister remarked that the government’s critics raise one after another issue and aspire for a mistake by the government, adding, as the matter of blasphemy law has already been resolved, the issue of Raymond would also be resolved.
He said the PPP-led government has come to power through election process and ballot. “Do they want the disrespect of public sense,” he remarked.
Gilani was also critical of the elements talking of revolution and comparing the situation in Tunisia and Egypt with Pakistan. “How can you compare Egypt with Pakistan, where it is democracy and elections are held”, he added.
He referred to the situation in Egypt where after the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, the army, which took control of the government, has not so far announced a time-frame for elections. “Do you want the same in Pakistan?”, he questioned.
The Prime Minister ruled out any foreign pressure on government on the issue of Raymond Davis and said, “if there was any pressure, he (Davis) would have been gone.” He reiterated the government’s stance on the issue and said the court would decide the matter.
Gilani said he was sitting on a chair, where Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had been in place, adding,  “How we can take a decision which would be contrary to the country’s interest and sovereignty.”
“My father was a signatory to the resolution of Pakistan and we are among those who created Pakistan”, he remarked.
The Prime Minister also criticised those claiming of fall in popularity of the Pakistan People’s Party and said only ballot can judge the popularity of any party.
He mentioned the major successes of PPP in by-elections in various parts of the country and said the PPP being a federal party, having its roots across the country, can provide socio-economic security to the masses.
Gilani also apprised the Pakistani community in Kuwait of the measures being taken by the present democratic government in their motherland for retrieving the country from various challenges including the economic ones, tackling the menace of terrorism and militancy as well as its efforts to strengthen relations with other countries.
The Prime Minister said with a vibrant and effective parliament in place, independent judiciary, pro-democracy establishment and free media, the state institutions in Pakistan were performing their duty within their parameters and there was no clash of institutions.
“We instead of strengthening our government and rule are bolstering the democratic culture. With a clear conscience, we always consider ourselves to be answerable to the people and courts”, he remarked.
Gilani said the PPP, which has confronted and defeated four dictators, could not be impressed by those who are talking of revolution in Pakistan in the wake of recent development in Tunisia and Egypt, as no one can claim to be more revolutionary than PPP.
He said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto preferred to give his life over bowing before a dictator, whereas Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto also sacrificed her life for the cause of democracy in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said the PPP leaders and workers faced jails, lashes and even went into exile, but never accepted the dictators to ensure the rights of people, which is also a golden example for the other nations to follow.
Lauding the important role and contribution of expatriate Pakistanis across the world including Kuwait in strengthening the country’s economy and image building, Gilani assured all out support and assistance of the present government in addressing their problems.
“You remit significant portion of your hard earnings to Pakistan and this precious foreign exchange contributes a lot in strengthening the country’s economy. Whenever the country required your support in a testing time, you played you role with open heart and I salute your patriotism, sense of responsibility and generosity”, he remarked.
Gilani referred to his meetings with the Kuwaiti leadership as well as the representatives of Kuwait Chambers of Commerce and Industry and heads of other important institutions and said he had raised the problems faced by around 150,000 Pakistanis living in Kuwait including the difficulties in getting visas.
The Prime Minister said he also took the matter of enhancing quota for Pakistani workers in Kuwait, adding, he was happy to share with the community that the Kuwaiti authorities not only agreed with our view but also promised to fully cooperate and extend their support in this respect.
Gilani said the present government considers its responsibility and accord high priority to resolving the problems of Pakistanis in Kuwait, adding, he has directed the Interior Ministry to ensure the immediate provision of the issuance of Machine Readable Passports (MRP) for the Pakistanis in Kuwait and this facility would soon be available.
He also assured the Pakistani community that Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) would conduct a survey for the establishment of a Pakistani school in Kuwait, for the provision of quality education to the children of Pakistani expatriates in Kuwait.
The Prime Minister said he has also discussed with the Kuwaiti authorities the provision of land for the construction of Pakistan’s Embassy here and hoped that after the allotment of land for Pakistan Embassy the construction work on Embassy building would soon be started.