Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Monday the Pakistan Muslim League-Q would provide unconditional support to the government and it would not let democracy be derailed in the country. He said this while talking to media after meeting with PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein and other leaders in Lahore.
The Prime Minister's visit to the leader of PML-Q third largest party in the parliament, has shaken up political circles altogether in the backdrop of latest political developments, especially separation of JUI-F and MQM from the government one after another.
After the meeting, the premier told reporters that he would not hesitate to face either no-confidence move or going to the parliament for a fresh vote of confidence on the direction of President. The premier said the PML-Q leadership would extend unconditional support to the PPP-led government. "PML-Q has always offered unconditional support to my government on all national issues and it would do the same for strengthening democracy and the institutions," he said.
The premier said: "I have come to seek support from PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein, Pervaiz Elahi and other PML-Q leaders." He said that PML-Q President and other leaders have assured him that PML-Q would strengthen democracy and never support any action, which might derail democracy in the country.
The premier said, it was time for the political forces to show political maturity and prove to the world that Pakistanis were responsible politicians. He said that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein had told him that he (Shujaat) had convened a meeting of the PML-Q on Tuesday (today) to consult party leadership regarding the support of Gilani-led PPP government. The premier further said no-confidence move is constitutional right of those having concerns against the government.
Earlier, the premier held one-on-one meeting with PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat and discussed with him various issues regarding PML-Q support to present government. Shujaat told media that his party would continue to support Yousuf Raza Gilani in the prevailing political situation for continuity of democracy and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country.
According to him, the PML-Q would support the government in the larger interest of democracy but the government should be serious on good governance and avoid legislation on controversial issues, including blasphemy law and RGST. He said any comprehensive policy to resolve public issues would be supported by the PML-Q. He said he would discuss the political situation with party leaders in a meeting on Tuesday.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said the country's situation underlined the need for a proactive approach. According to him, the PML-Q has opposed policies but ready to render support it on national issues. However, he clarified that the PML-Q would not favour blackmailing at any cost. He said the so-called friendly opposition would be exposed sooner.
AFP adds: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani won tentative support at crisis talks with political opponents on Monday, raising hopes that his government can stave off imminent collapse. The political turmoil was sparked on Sunday when coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) quit the government to join the opposition.
The move severed the government's majority at a time of economic meltdown that has raised IMF concerns, and risked diverting Pakistani efforts, under US pressure, to do more to fight al Qaeda and the Taliban. No entirely civilian government in Pakistan has managed to complete a full term in office and with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leading a majority of 160 seats in the 342-member national assembly, horse trading began immediately.
Although he is not bound to seek a vote of confidence in parliament, Gilani could face serious problems in passing legislation and any failure to get the budget adopted in June could force snap elections. Pakistan has managed to stave off bankruptcy thanks to a 2008 IMF rescue package, but after catastrophic flooding last summer there are fears that Islamabad cannot meet key targets on inflation and budget deficit levels.
Gilani spent Monday locked in talks with the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q), whose 50 lawmakers could prop up the government, and the brother of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif who left the coalition in 2008. "It was agreed that parliament and democracy will be strengthened and no step will be taken which could derail democracy," an upbeat Gilani said.
PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said he would consult his party, but indicated that it could come to the prime minister's rescue. "We will support them on one condition - that they will solve the problems being faced by the people of Pakistan.
"We do not want to blackmail them. We talked about all issues namely the reformed general sales tax bill, inflation, unemployment and the anti-blasphemy law," he told reporters after the meeting in Lahore. The MQM said its 25 lawmakers moved into the opposition in protest at the government's nine percent increase in petrol prices, inflation and record on corruption, but also left the door open to supporting it in the future.
"We will support anyone, including the present government, who withdraws the increased oil prices and offers a package to provide relief to the people," said MQM Sindh cabinet minister for health, Saghir Ahmed. To bring down the government, the opposition would need to overcome deep divisions to table and win a no-confidence vote, therefore forcing elections.
That would depend on former prime minister Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party, which analysts believe is unwilling to take on the mantle of Pakistan's myriad problems prematurely. Gilani met Nawaz Sharif's brother, Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab province, but the party stopped short Monday of calling outright for a vote.
"We have said we will not destabilise them, but we won't lend them any support after they lost their majority due to corruption and incompetence," said Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the leader of the opposition. MQM lawmakers on Monday walked out of a national assembly session to protest against the rise in petrol prices, an AFP reporter said. "The common man is desperate for bread when the government imposed the hike in petroleum prices. The government must take back this increase immediately," Khan said to chants of "shame, shame".
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