Clash of state institutions would lead Pakistan to dictatorship: Gilani

Multan, Jan. 25 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that a clash of three state institutions - parliament, judiciary and executive - should be avoided, as it may lead to military dictatorship again.

Addressing a public gathering here, Gilani said the PPP-led government would protect the current democratic system at all costs.

He said the government respected all state institutions, and would not let them engage in a confrontation while ensuring that they all functioned within their constitutional ambit.

"We will strengthen all institutions and will protect the 1973 Constitution at all costs," the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

He also paid tribute to the armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and the nation for making sacrifices in the war on terror.

Gilani said there was no room for former president Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan.

He pointed out that Benazir Bhutto had advised PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to participate in the February 2008 elections.

He added that had the elections been boycotted, the judiciary would not have been reinstated. (ANI)