Gilani's call to Nawaz eases tension in Punjab Assembly session

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's 'appeasing' telephone call to PML- chief Nawaz Sharif has changed the mood of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the Punjab Assembly on Monday. The PML-N's 72 hours deadline had injected hostility in the PPP Punjab toward PML-N, which oozed out both on the floor of the House and media in the last few days.
However, the Prime Minister's telephone call to Nawaz changed the mood of Punjab PPP and on Monday the PPP parliamentarians came to attended the session with a friendly mood. It can be assumed that a condemnation resolution against the assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, passed unanimously by the House, was also outcome of the reconciliatory politics, which came seven days after the incident. In his point of order PPP parliamentary leader and Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz used praising words for the N-league. Not long ago the PPP benchers adopted an aggressive stance against their coalition partner. He even categorically stated on the floor of the House that they are in a friendly and appeasing mood.
He said his party has shown its attention of working in the national interest and the Prime Minister's acceptance of Nawaz Sharif's agenda reflects the party good attention. He rebuffed critics, who see the PPP action as a u-turn, saying in future they will not shy from taking more u-turns in the national interest and betterment of people. He credited the Prime Minister for contacting all the political parties' leaders and added that his party open approach to all political parties reflects their reconciliatory approach. "We are determined to take steps that strengthen democracy and institutions. I assure the House that we will continue with the approach of reconciliatory politics and all political parties will be taken into confidence regarding national issues," he added.