Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that military action is not a long-term solution to any problem, saying that only the provincial government of Sindh can call Army in Karachi. Addressing a press conference at Governor House, Lahore the prime minister averred that federal government would provide full assistance to the provincial government of Sindh for minting law and order.
Regarding the role of Rangers and other law enforcement agencies in Karachi, Gilani said that they had been given free hand to restore peace in the city. Terming calling military in Karachi as a provincial subject, he stated that decision of the provincial government would be respected and adhered to.
Gilani called upon all political forces to put their heads together for solving the Karachi issue. He said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had stood by his government on all issues. To a question, Prime Minister Gilani said that important decisions would be taken at a high-level meeting to be held in Governor's House Sindh tonight (Sunday).
The prime minister shrugged off calls for mid-term polls, saying that time was over for mid term polls.
He said that the government had already presented its fourth budgets, saying that the incumbent parliament should complete its constitutional term.
The prime minister stated that people come and go but a strong system ensued strong democracy.
To a query, the prime minister said that the government wanted resolution of all issues in the country through constitutional means.
Regarding the ethic violence in Karachi, Gilani assured that all matters would be resolved through consensus. He rejected the notion that some particular groups were involved in deteriorating law and order in Karachi.
Appreciating the role of MQM, he said that they had supported PPP government in every thick and thin, adding that it was MQM chief Altaf Hussain who had proposed the name of PPP Co-Chairman for the post of President. To another question, he said government respects the judiciary and implemented all its decisions in letter and spirit. Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa and Information Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan were also present in the press conference.
The prime minister later presided over a meeting of PPP MNAs from Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sahiwal divisions.