‘Quartet’ secure till 2013, says Gilani

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that the extension given to Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s term as Chief of the Army Staff had secured the position of all ‘major stakeholders’ of the system -- the president, prime minister, Supreme Court chief justice and army chief -- till 2013.

Talking to journalists after a visit to the Pakistan Sweet Home project in Sihala, Mr Gilani said it was now incumbent upon all institutions to work within the ambit of the Constitution.

“I want to give a message to the nation that at this time, the prime minister, president, CJP and COAS are now in a secure position till 2013. They must now work within the ambit of Constitution,” he said.

He denied reports that the extension had been given to Gen Kayani under US pressure and said: “No third party was involved (in the matter).” He said the decision had been taken to ensure continuity of policies because the country was in the middle of a war against terrorism and extremism.

“Keeping in view the situation in war on terror, we have already given extension to the ISI director general and some other generals and may do so in future as well,” Mr Gilani said. “Pakistan has a unique situation. We are in the middle of war against extremism and terrorism and we need to maintain stability for which it is important that there should be consistency and continuity.”

The prime minister said that instead of giving extension ‘till further orders’ or for one to two years, the three-year announcement was made to bring further stability and remove any misunderstanding.

Answering a question about the sacking of Sardar Latif Khosa as adviser on information technology, Mr Gilani said: “There is a misconception in the media about the issue. Mr Khosa was not sacked, but asked to be my adviser and work under my (minister-in-charge) instructions and not to use powers of minister by himself.”

Answering a question about reported government support for lawmakers holding fake degrees, he said: “We have never supported fake degree-holders and allegations on this account should end.”

He said he had summoned the education minister and chairman of the Higher Education Commission and asked them to perform their duties in accordance with rules.

About the confusion over the Pakistan-Afghan Transit Trade Agreement because of differing statements made by ministers, Mr Gilani said he had set up a committee comprising ministers for finance, foreign affairs and commerce to brief political parties and the National Security Committee of parliament and remove misconceptions. He said the agreement had not yet been approved by the cabinet.