Army does not intend to come to power in Pak: Gilani
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today said there is no threat to democracy in Pakistan and the army has no intention of coming to power.
Gilani made the remarks during an interaction with a group of local journalists at the Prime Minister’s House.He said there is no threat to democracy as the civilian government had come to power after making numerous sacrifices and winning the 2008 election.
The army is part of the civilian government and is taking part in flood relief activities at the government's request."It does not intend to come to power," he said."The judiciary also supports the democratic system," Gilani told the journalists.
The media, people and political parties had made it clear that democracy is the need of the country and the world community will not accept any undemocratic move, he said.
Following widespread criticism of the Pakistan People's Party-led government's poor handling of relief efforts in the wake of the unprecedented floods that swept the country and affected over 20 million people, there has been considerable speculation that the government is facing a threat.
Gilani said the devastation caused by the floods is a natural calamity and "we have to tackle it collectively".Rs 4 billion had been collected so far by the Prime Minister's Flood Relief Fund, he added.
He indicated that his government would implement all verdicts of the Supreme Court.
Referring to the apex court's recent decision to scrap the promotion of over 50 senior bureaucrats, he said the government had approved the promotion of 39 officers through a transparent selection process and in line with the court's verdict.
"We implemented the Supreme Court verdict in letter and spirit. Today I approved the promotions of 39 officers after the selection board meeting," he said.Some officers, including his Principal Secretary, were not promoted, he said
