No chance of coup as Army, PPP working in tandem 'for first time': Gilani

Islamabad, Dec. 25 (ANI): Rejecting apprehensions regarding a possible military coup in the country, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government and the Army, probably for the first time, are working in tandem with each other.

In an interview to a private television channel, Gilani said the army is working within the constitutional ambit and has to tow the official policies.

"The army stands by the government, and there is no doubt about it," Gilani said.

"It is for the first time that the Pakistan Peoples Party has better ties with the army," he said while replying to a question regarding objections raised by the armed forces over the Kerry Lugar bill and its decision not to send the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha to India.

Gilani said the government is in contact with the Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani, who maintains that the military would not indulge in the country's politics.

When asked about former President General Pervez Musharraf's trial under high treason charges, Gilani said he has no issues regarding Musharraf's trial under the Article 6 of the Constitution, but added that a consensus of the House is needed to pursue the case.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has said that the army would not interfere in government's affairs.

Mukhtar also rebuffed demands of his resignation following the NRO verdict, saying he had not done anything against the law of the country. (ANI)