"The PPP rendered great sacrifices for the freedom of judiciary as well as the media", he said while addressing the Lahore Bar Association lawyers during a ceremony at Al-Hamra here Saturday.
The Prime Minister said there was a supreme constitution, an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant society in the country, adding "Had there been no constitution, it would have been difficult to keep the federation intact", The Prime Minister said the PPP was the custodian of the constitution and it restored the 1973 Constitution to its true spirit.
Regarding the negative propaganda of the opponents, Gilani said the PPP respected democratic institutions and democratic traditions in letter and spirit.
Referring to the politically charged atmosphere at the Al-Hmara in connection with the Lahore Bar elections on january 14, he said all political activity in the country today was due to the democracy and supremacy of the Constitution.
Gilani said the PPP favoured elections and safeguarded the right to sloganeering and political activism.
"I greet President Asif Ali Zardari as his prime minister has been invited to address the largest bar association of Asia", he added.
Lauding the role of lawyers community in various eras of the country's history, the Prime Minister said that lawyers were in the vanguard of Pakistan movement under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, adding that PPP founder Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had the unconditional support of lawyers in his movement for the empowerment of the masses. The Prime Minister said the PPP gave the country its first unanimous constitutions, nuclear programme and missile technology under the visionary leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, adding that the government would give the masses largest energy project in the form of Thar Coal power project during the current year.
In response to the demands made by the Lahore Bar President Shehzad Hassan Sheikh, the Prime Minister announced various welfare projects for the lawyers community in the provincial metropolis.
Gilani announced a lawyers housing scheme for the LBA on the land under NAB, 10 percent quota for the lawyers in admission to schools and colleges under Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB) as well as free treatment for lawyers at the Janki Devi Hospital.
He said that PPP-led government would also complete Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Lawyers Hospital during the current year.
The Prime Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 2.5 million for the treatment of Ijaz Ahmed advocate who is suffering from cancer.
Speaking on the occasion Punjab Governor, Sardar Latif Khosa eulogised the role of lawyers in all movements including for the rights of the masses, independent judiciary, free media as well as struggle against martial law and dictators.
He said the Lahore Bar Association had always played pivotal role in defending democracy and democratic institutions.
The Prime Minister also gave away excellence awards among the office bearers of the out-going LBA.
Chairman EPTB Syed Asif Hashmi, Peoples Lawyers Forum (PLF) office-bearers and a large number of lawyers were present on the occasion.