ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met Friday in an unusual display of harmony, rejecting the impression of clash between the institutions and underscoring the significance of national unity to address the challenges.
Kayani called on Gilani at PM’s House and reportedly agreed with him that all the departments were working within their defined constitutional ambit and there was no mistrust between the civilian government and the armed forces. Both the leaders stressed the need for a complete unity in the face of issues confronting the country.
They also agreed that replies forwarded by the COAS and DG ISI were in response to the notice of the Honourable Court, through proper channel and in accordance with the rules of business and should not be misconstrued as a standoff between the army and the government. Taking serious note of the rumours regarding a confrontation over the memo issue, the prime minister strongly rejected the notion. Gilani reiterated that the government and all other institutions remained committed to their constitutional roles. He said the government’s stance regarding jurisdiction of the court on the memo issue was still to be heard by the court.
Earlier, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq ruled out the submission of President Zardari’s reply in the Memogate case. “I have no instructions on filing the president’s reply,” Haq told reporters in the Supreme Court building. “It remains to be seen if the Supreme Court found the Federation’s reply enough in the memogate case,” he said, adding: “The court could be informed about the president’s health in case it insisted on a reply.”
Asked as to whom he will represent in the court, he said he does not know whom he will be defending in the case, as he has not yet received any instructions about that. About DG ISI Shuja Pasha and COAS Kayani’s replies, he said they have submitted replies in personal capacities and they can come to the court on the same basis. – Nation
