MULTAN,Jan 24th:Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Sunday that those expecting any institutions’ clash were indulging only in a wishful thinking.Addressing a public meeting at Sports Ground here on Sunday, he said the PPP-led government respected all the institutions including parliament, judiciary and executive, and would not let these have any confrontation, which might again lead to military dictatorship.
The government would ensure working of all the country’s institutions within their constitutional ambit, he added.
Gilani said that PPP would protect the present democratic system at all costs, as the party had paid high price for it with the martyrdom of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) and Benazir Bhutto (BB), and a large number of party activists. He also paid rich tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, the law enforcement agencies and the nation for rendering supreme sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
The ZAB and BB’s slogan and mission of Roti, Kapra and Makan ‘for the masses’ is still relevant and rather it is need of the hour, he said and resolved that PPP having strong roots throughout Pakistan would promote the philosophy and vision of its great leaders.
The PPP-led government was fulfilling all the promises, which Bhutto Shaheed and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had made with the people of Pakistan, to ensure people’s rule in true spirit, he maintained.
The Prime Minister said that ZAB and BB always advocated and struggled for the empowerment of the common man to change the system, and achieved very great success by defeating dictatorial rules with the masses’ strength.
Gilani said that Mohtarma had proved the people’s strength, as she returned to Pakistan despite th fact that former President Pervez Musharraf had tried hard to prevent her from coming back to the country.
It was Mohtarma’s political sagacity that she convinced leaders all over the world and had Pakistan’s political parties forge unity particularly PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif for restoration of democracy, and ultimately compelled Pervez Musharraf to doff his military uniform.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that PPP was given a big public mandate in the general election 2008, which were held in free, fair and transparent manner.
He said the PPP also rendered sacrifices for the restoration of deposed judges as well as freedom of media. After the martyrdom of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari convinced Mian Nawaz Sharif not to boycott the general election, saying that had they boycotted the polls, the media and judiciary would not have been enjoying such freedom as now they have it .
He said that Pervez Musharraf, who ruled for eight long years, had to quit as head of the state within six months after the democratic government had assumed office.
Gilani said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaheed had launched his movement for the rights of the people from Multan, while Benazir Bhutto Shaheed had also addressed a public meeting at this place (Sports Ground Multan).
He resolved to make PPP’s a stronghold in Multan, while bringing this historic city at par with other developed areas of the country.
The Prime Minister also assured the local people that he would talk to Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif for early materialization of ‘Big City Allowance’ for this land of saints.
He said that the present democratic government had regularized even the contract employees, appointed by the previous regime, besides reinstating the sacked employees and provision of new job opportunities.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Senator Salah-ud-Din Dogar, MPAs Abdul Qadir Gilani, Nazim Hussain Shah, Malik Ahmed Hussain Dehar and Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar, PPP district President Khalid Hanif Lodhi and city President Khursheed also addressed the gathering. Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan, State Minister for Communication Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, MPA Dr. Akhtar Malik, PPP Federal Council Member Khawaja Rizwan Alam and other party office-bearers were also present.