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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated before the Supreme Court on Tuesday that a press conference addressed by former law minister Babar Awan soon after the court's December 1 order in the memo case was not intended to ridicule any judge or the judiciary.
A two-page statement filed by Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq on behalf of the prime minister said his government believed in 'trichotomy of power', rule of law and civilian supremacy in terms of the constitutional scheme.
The statement was filed after the court rejected the earlier stance taken by the prime minister, holding it 'evasive' and 'not acceptable'.
The earlier statement had been submitted in compliance with directives of the court demanding a clear stand of the government on the press conference allegedly ridiculing the institution of the judiciary.
In the new statement, the prime minister reiterated that he had the highest regard for the judiciary and had no ambiguity in his mind regarding the historical stance of the PPP, citing steps taken by his government for strengthening the judiciary.
He said the Press Information Department had maintained a purpose built press conference room for over three decades that had always been used by parties in government.
However, other eminent persons could also address press conferences and a recent example was the one held by members of the Abbottabad Commission on December 8, he said.
He said Mr Awan's press conference had been attended by PPP's chief whip and finance and information secretaries, whereas the information minister was also a senior parliamentarian of the party.
