Gilani
Answering a question about the possibility of JUI-F rejoining the federal government, Mr Gilani said he respected the Maulana, but now “I would work with others to find a solution to problems”. – Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani indicated on Tuesday that he did not plan to go after JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to woo his party back to the PPP-led coalition.

Answering a question about the possibility of JUI-F rejoining the federal government, Mr Gilani said he respected the Maulana, but now “I would work with others to find a solution to problems”.

Talking to reporters after attending a ceremony marking the inauguration of the OIC village and designation of Abrarul Haq as OIC humanitarian ambassador, the prime minister said that leaders of parliamentary parties would guide and assist the government which had started working on the 10-point reforms agenda forwarded by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. He hinted at convening a conference of parliamentary leaders for the purpose.

“Nawaz Sharif’s 10-point agenda has been received and we are determined to resolve all issues by sitting together as we had earlier called parliamentary leaders to a meeting to take their guidance on petroleum prices,” he said.

Political leaders, he said, were of the opinion that they should sit together to discuss how to resolve the problems faced by the country.

About Pope Benedict’s demand for repealing the blasphemy law, Mr Gilani said: “It is our law and we will work according to our law.”

He said he had already categorically stated that there would be no amendment to the blasphemy law.

The prime minister denied reports that the government was under IMF pressure to privatise some public sector organisations and said it would do things which it considered were in the country’s interest.

About allegation of involvement of his son in the Haj scam, he said there was nothing unusual if his family had come under criticism. Those who were trying to implicate members of his family in the scam were in a parliamentary committee which had investigated the issue and would submit its report to parliament, he added.

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