Gillani wins unanimous vote in Pak Parliament

Islamabad, Mar.29 : The Pakistan National Assembly today expressed its confidence in Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani by passing a resolution for vote of confidence unanimously.

Earlier, Prime Minister Gillani requested the opposition benches to support the motion for vote of confidence.

In response the Muslim League (Q), the Functional League, the Peoples Party Sherpao and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement announced that they would support Gillani. This was followed by Asfandyar Wali saying that a vote count was not required. Speaker Fehmida Mirza then announced that the National Assembly had passed the vote of confidence unanimously.

Thanking the allied parties and Muslim League (Q), the Functional League, the Peoples Party Sherpao and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for their support, Gillani promised to take along all sides and work for the best interests of Pakistan.

He vowed to strengthen the institutions and to improve law and order in the country. Talking about his government's priorities he said terrorism and extremism was the most serious problem faced by the country. He called the militants to shun the path of violence and initiate a dialogue with the government.

Price hike and unemployment are other key problems faced by the country, he said. The government would provide jobs to jobless, he said.

Prime Minister Gillani also welcomed the Chief of Army Staff's decision to withdraw all military officers from civilian dpartments, adding that it has boosted the prestige of the armed forces.

ANI