Gillani vows to strengthen institutions

Associated Press Service

ISLAMABAD, Mar 23 - Premiership candidate of future ruling coalition Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani Sunday vowed to protect the 1973 Constitution, strengthen institutions, ensure independent judiciary and media and a supreme Parliament. “I shall come up to the confidence reposed in me by my party and the coalition partner. We have to collectively forge ahead for steering country out of present challenges,” he told a crowded news conference after filing nomination papers for the office of Prime Minister.
“We have joined each other for a greater cause to strengthen democracy, protect 1973 constitution, free media and strengthen institutions like judiciary and Election Commission,” Gillani said.
Gillani who earlier filed six nomination papers for the Prime Minister contest, enjoys the support of more than two third majority in the House and would hopefully sweep Monday’s election for the Prime Minister.
Nominated after marathon consultation by his party, Gillani would take on Pakistan Muslim League’s Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi, a new candidate nominated for the slot, after MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar withdrew from the Premiership contest and his party decided to support the PPPP, PML-N, ANP and MMA nominated candidate.
Gillani thanked his party and the coalition partner for supporting his nomination as Prime Minister and invited the support of the nation to be successful in fulfillment of welfare agenda of the future ruling coalition.
He foresaw numerous challenges and said, he would follow the line of his party leader Benazir Bhutto who had sacrificed her life for the cause of democracy.
“What we have today, is all due to sacrifices of our late leader and I am committed to follow her agenda and implement the Charter of Democracy,” he said.
He said he, his cabinet and the party would be answerable to the Parliament as it is a representative forum and “we need to make it strong.”
Gillani also hinted at strengthening the Committee system in the Parliament.
When asked about his stance on relationship with the President, he said, “I shall follow the Constitution.”
About measures to control price hike, he said, he would announce his agenda on floor of the House after taking vote of confidence from the House.
“We would work for supremacy of the Parliament and our policies would reflect masses aspirations,” he said.
When asked either Makhdoom Amin Fahim would be Parliamentary Leader of PPPP in National Assembly, Gillani said, the party would decide it.
To another question either he would be part time or full time Prime Minister, Gillani said, his party is to decide how long it wants be in office.