New coalition govt working with president Musharraf within ambit of Constitution

NEW DELHI, May 11 (APS): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the new coalition government in Pakistan is working with President Pervez Musharraf according to the Constitution.
In an interview with Karan Thapar’s ‘India Tonight’, he contradicted media reports that his party had initiated backchannel contacts with President Pervez Musharraf for an arrangement under which the President would be allowed to complete his term in exchange for giving up some of his powers.
Personally, he had no problems working with Musharraf if this was within the ambit of the Constitution, he said.
Replying to a question on resignation of President Pervez Musharraf, he said it was upto Pervez Musharraf to decide whether to step down or not, PTI reported.
When asked if he personally hoped Musharraf would step down on his own, Prime Minister replied, “I personally feel that I can only follow the constitution. For leaving the post, it’s his (Musharraf’s) choice, not mine.” Asked if he would give Musharraf advice in this regard, he said, “(Musharraf) will never ask for my advice.”
When further asked whether he would persuade PML (N) leader Nawaz Sharif to allow Musharraf to complete his term provided the President gave up some of his powers, Gilani said: “Why should I persuade Nawaz Sharif to allow Musharraf to complete his tenure?” That is his prerogative, we are two different parties. We have two different manifestos and programmes. He is following his manifesto, I am following my manifesto.”
Prime Minister said “we want the balance of power between the presidency and the parliament. At the same time, we want that according to the constitution and with a majority. But at the moment, even Nawaz Sharif knows that we don’t have a majority in the upper house of parliament.”
Replying to another question he said there was no proposal from any side to grant President Pervez Musharraf immunity for his steps taken during last year’s emergency rule and to retain the National Security Council, which Sharif has said should be abolished in accordance with the Charter of Democracy inked by PPP and PML (N) in 2006.
On his relation with Pakistan Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, Gilani said he had excellent relations with him. His government had the full support of the Army Chief.
Gilani, who was imprisoned for five years, said his time in jail had not made him bitter.
“Actually, we both Mr. Nawaz Sharif and myself have suffered a lot. Even (PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had been behind bars for eight years. I have been behind bars for five years. I’m not bitter at all,” the Prime Minister added.