MULTAN: Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said if MQM chief Altaf Husain has apologised to the army, the issue should be put to rest in national interest.

Speaking to journalists here on Saturday, he said everyone should respect the national institutions. According to the constitution, parliament, judiciary and army were supreme institutions and must be respected.

He said Altaf Husain’s apology was appreciable as the army was engaged in eliminating extremism and terrorism. He said SSP Malir Rao Anwar should not have involved himself in politics by conducting a press conference but if there were important revelations, the chief minister, home minister or any other government functionary should have conducted the press conference.

Replying to a question about Shah Mehmood Qureshi, he said “when he was in the PPP, he used to criticise the PML-N and now he is criticising the PPP”.

He said constitution of judicial commission was a good step taken by the government. “The matter is sub judice and any review could only be taken when the report will be publicised,” he said.

He said the PPP would nominate its candidate for PP-196. “The PML-N has yet to finalise its candidate so we are in no hurry,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2015

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