‘Change-mongers’ are wasting their time, says Gilani

Quashing rumours of a regime change in the country, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has warned that any “unconstitutional” act against his democratically-elected government will be construed as a conspiracy to destabilise the federation“If anyone conspires against us it means he is conspiring to break Pakistan. Will those who are thinking to send us packing unconstitutionally have any alternative (set-up) having consensus of all? I ask them not to waste their time. We are not going anywhere. 

“We have developed consensus in all provinces and are running government affairs after taking all political forces onboard,” the prime minister said, leaving little doubt that conjectures about the demise of the present set-up had touched a raw nerve. 

He said the government is not going to change just because someone said so and advised those talking of unconstitutional change in the country to stop wasting their time. 

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber Achievement Award ceremony at the Expo Centre on Saturday, Mr. Gilani said, "Those talking of unconstitutional change should come with a substitute that unites all the four provinces."

He said the government of Pakistan People's Party enjoys mandate of all the four provinces and it would not be advisable to push it against the wall. No compromise will be made on principles, he added.

He said he never missed even a single session of the Parliament and that this might one day get his name into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The prime minister said that President Asif Ali Zardari had addressed the Parliament thrice in two years.

“We respect the judiciary and the media. I want to tell you that I have very good relations with the judiciary. I had ordered end to detention of judges even a day before taking oath of my office. Subsequently, I restored them but the credit was not given to me. Rather it is said that Gen Kayani restored them. When it comes to extension to Gen Kayani someone in the media said it had been done on the orders of the US as Gilani is a child. I tell you, "The troops are mine and of Pakistan and not of America," he asserted, adding we have gained access to EU markets.

He said the people will be brought together on the issue of flooding just as it happened in cases of terrorism, NFC Award and the 18th amendment of the Constitution. He also quashed the impression that the government’s popularity was dwindling, saying that his party has won most by-elections. “We won seven seats out of nine by-elections,” he said

Yusuf Raza Gilani said the elected government will complete its five year tenure despite unwarranted criticism by some undemocratic forces.

He said some undemocratic forces were involved in unjustified propaganda campaign against the elected government which came into power with heavy mandate in 2008 elections, adding that it was unfortunate that some quarters were trying to destabilize the government.

The prime minister said that political stability was necessary for the economy of the country and rumors always damaged the economic stability.