Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. – AFP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that the government believed in full expression of views and that it was the right of every member to speak on all issues in the Parliament.

Speaking in the National Assembly in response to Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s MNA Ahsan Iqbal’s point of order, he said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was a democratic party that fully believed in democracy. Even if there was any difference of opinion within the party, the members could freely express it and that was the beauty of democracy, he said.

Prime Minister Gilani said all members had the right to speak even against their own party's policies.

He said it showed democracy in the party. Agreeing to disagree is the essence of democracy, he said.

He said the PPP was a democratic party and fully believed in democracy.

Earlier, PPP MNA Akhunzada Chattan on a point of order informed the National Assembly that the political administration of Fata was not implementing the amendment in the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) Act which stated that prisoners below the age of 12 years and older than 60 years would not be kept in jails. He demanded action against the concerned political agents.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...