‘I like Musharraf’s support for democracy’: Gilani

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said what he likes most in President Pervez Musharraf is his support for democracy and his straight-forwardness. “He [Musharraf] supports democracy. He is very frank, straight-forward,” the Prime Minister said in a candid interview with a private television channel Tuesday morning, when asked what he liked most about President Musharraf.
A tˆte-…-tˆte with Prime Minister Gilani gave an insight into his likes and dislikes, where he revealed soft corners of his personal life, be it the sensitive topics like commenting on prominent personalities, or talking about dress choice, eating patterns or favourite movie stars.
When asked about President Musharraf’s statement mentioned in his memoir ‘In the Line of Fire’ saying that to govern Pakistan is one of the most difficult jobs in THE world, the Prime Minister said, “Yes, I agree with it.”
Gilani said his government supported the policies of previous government if they coincided with Pakistan Peoples Party’s manifesto.
“Whenever President Musharraf pursued in accordance with our good points, we supported him. The issues like Women Protection Bill and women’s representation in assemblies, we stood by them,” the Prime Minister said.
However, Gilani said he brought changes in previous government’s policy In THE war against terror and focused on finding root cause of the issue rather than use of military force.
Gilani said he also believed that the March 9 step by President Musharraf against judiciary cast negative impact on his political goodwill.
The Prime Minister said the government would take as challenge to resolve the issues of electricity and flour crises, law and order situation and inflation, which it inherited from the previous government.
On upcoming budget, the Prime Minister said focus would be laid upon primary education, basic health facilities and increase in wages.
The Prime Minister said his government stood by its commitment to freedom of media and would bring amendments in this regard.
“We want freedom of media. We should not mind their point of view. We are in a position to defend ourselves.”
About lawyers’ movement for the restoration of judiciary, the Prime Minister said it was the movement of entire nation with a lot of contribution by PPP.
Describing himself as a “commoner”, Gilani said he felt pain for the poor facing hardships in their lives.
“I have lived all my life among the common people. When I see that poor have no basic facilities of life, I feel a sense of guilt,” he said.
Gilani said after assuming prime minister’s office, his routine had become tough with little time for personal life, long work hours and less sleep.
“Now, I hardly get four to five hours sleep. Sometimes I have to work like a robot,” he said, adding he felt strange when his family members and children also required an appointment to talk to him due to his busy schedule.
Known for his well-dressed appearance, the 55-year old Gilani said he believed in varied experiences of costumes and could comfortably carry all styles, be it Sherwani, Shalwar Qameez or Safari Suit.
However said he was more at ease in the national dress.
“I like black colour on me, and on anybody with fair
complexion,” he said.
Gilani said he was a health conscious person and extremely particular about his eating habits.
“I have been religiously following a fitness pattern in jail like jogging, exercise and maintaining garden, though I don’t find time for such activities now,” he said.
Commenting on the personality of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, the Prime Minister said he was inspired by Zardari’s sense of humour, who used his wit to say difficult things easily in an amusing manner.
He said Zardari’s biggest strength were his party and Benazir Bhutto’s goodwill.
---- On controversial appointment of Dr Nasim Ashraf as Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, the Prime Minister termed it a “prerogative of the government”, however said nobody was indispensable.
Asked how much expressive he was in sharing emotions, the Prime Minister said, “I am very discreet about such things and relatively miser in expressing sentiments.”
“If depressed, I just go to sleep and do not discuss the matter with anyone,” but said he believed in “forgetting and forgiving”.
He termed the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto as the most unforgettable incident of his life.
The Prime Minister said he felt uncomfortable when he could not accomplish the tasks as planned according to the agenda.
“I have always lived with the thought of running short of time, and everyday I consider as the last day of my life,” he said.
Gilani did not oppose screening of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas. He said his favourite movie stars were Aishwarya Rai and Shahrukh Khan and he never missed any of Rai’s movie in jail days on his laptop.
He recalled it as a “pleasant surprise when he unwrapped a gift box received from Indian Foreign Minister recently, all filled with movie albums of Aishwarya Rai,” adding they might have picked up the clue from his book wherein he mentioned his favourite heroine.
Gilani said good music always acted as mood lifter for him, as he liked to listen to the songs of Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and Nayyara Noor.
The Prime Minister said best mode of enjoyment for him was talking to close friends, and recalled his jail days when he use to stroll in rain along with others including Air Marshal Waqar Azeem, IB chief Brig Imtiaz, ministers and secretaries.
What if he was not a politician, Gilani said he would have been an architect.