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Published 16 Nov, 2011 07:08pm

Gilani vows supremacy of parliament, protecting democracy

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday assured the National Assembly that they were ready to go to any extent for ensuring supremacy of the Parliament and to protect democracy.

Speaking in the National Assembly in response to various issues raised by Leader of the Opposition Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, he said that the prime ministers would come and go but the parliament should continue to function in the country.

He rejected the impression of the leader of the opposition that parliament had become 'useless' and said the house had the honour to pass 103 amendments in the constitution and all the legislation was enacted after evolving the consensus.

The PM appreciated the opposition parties for passing Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill unanimously and added the whole world appreciated this legislation.

He said it was for first time in the history of Pakistan that the army and ISI were made accountable to the parliament.

He asked the opposition to maintain tolerance as resignations from the parliament was not in the interest of anyone, rather it would give a bad name to the country and democratic system.

Mr Gilani said he has asked all the cabinet members and parliamentary secretaries to remain present in both the houses of the parliament to debate the issues, raised by the members.

The PM further said that he was ready to cooperate and maintain discipline in the house but hoped the same spirit would also come from the opposition members.

The prime minister said the government was ready to debate all the issues including electricity, gas, public sector organisations but asked the opposition to move all the issues in the parliament according to its procedures. Only raising the issues on point of orders, will not resolve these issues, he added.

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