Gilani vows to restore tradition of celebrating Pak Independence Day outside Parliament

Islamabad, Aug.14 (ANI)): Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has vowed to hold next year's Independence Day celebrations outside Parliament and reiterated his strong committment to make national institutions strong.

Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday as it commemorated the 63rd independence day, Gilani said it will be in line with the supremacy of the house that next year the national flag will fly at Parliament House.

Prior to the start of house proceedings, which were suspended to celebrate Independence Day, the national anthem was played and a Qari led prayers for Pakistan's security and sovereignty.

Gilani said it was a practice in the past that the Prime Minister along with the chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly would attend Independence Day celebrations in front of Parliament House, but regretted that it was no more so due to security concerns.

Recalling that it was also a tradition to invite a head of the state or the government for August 14 celebrations, Gilani paid tribute to the valiant struggle of Quaid-e-Azam and all those who played their part in the creation of Pakistan.

"I would pay tribute to all those who were instrumental in creation of Pakistan and those who worked to strengthen democracy in the country. This house has unity and we need to bring all our issues in the house and make this institution strong. If this house failed then I don't see any other parliament so strong that it can protect your rights," AAP quoted Gilani, as saying.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the need for making national institutions strong, and particularly praised the judiciary for making itself independent after a long struggle.

He also said that the role of the media should be to "embarras" the government.

"And nobody should mind it because they point out our shortcomings," he added.

Gilani urged the parliamentarians to make their institution strong.

"It should be so strong that no dictator in future will dare cast an evil eye on the parliament," he was quoted, as saying.

He said the parliamentarians, who are privileged to be representing 170 million people of Pakistan, should strive to change the system and not merely the prime ministers.

"You should change the destiny of this nation and change the system. The system will only change once the masses feel a positive change in their lives," he stated. (ANI)