Pak PM calls upon Musharraf to address Par

Islamabad, Apr 16: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is learnt to have called upon President Pervez Musharraf to address a joint sitting of the country's parliament, as, in his words, it was a 'constitutional obligation' upon any President.

He said President's address to the parliament would help strengthen democracy and uphold the supremacy of the people's representative body. "The president has not addressed parliament for many years though the Constitution says that it is a must for the president to do so. The President has his own constitutional powers and obligations as enshrined in the Constitution. It is regrettable that the president has not addressed parliament for so many years," The News quoted Gilani as saying last evening.

About news reports regarding the President's resignation, he said the question must be put to the President. He also said that in case his government decides for President's impeachment, it will do only after consulting other coalition partners. "On impeachment of the president, we should not act in haste but consult the coalition partners," said Gilani.

Regarding restoration of deposed judges of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister said that the people of Pakistan would soon hear the "good news", as, he added, the restoration of the judges or independent judiciary are the issues for which the PPP has struggled as much as any other party or community.

Answering a question about Indo-Pak relations, he said: "We would hold dialogue with India on the basis of equality, mutual respect and honour for living as good neighbouring nations. The core Kashmir issue must be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions and in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir."

ANI