Worst democracy is better than best dictatorship: Gilani

Lahore, Feb.22 (ANI): In an apparent attempt to gather public support for his troubled government, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that even the worst form of democracy was far better than the best form of dictatorship.

Addressing a ceremony here, Gilani said Pakistan can ill-afford to hold mid-term elections at the present time when the it is facing a number of issues.

He urged the people of the country to join hands and safeguard democracy.

"It is necessary for all of us to defend democracy and not set a deadline for its fall. The country can not afford to live with weak democracy. It is a panacea for the country's problems. Even the worst democracy is better than the best of dictatorship," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

Gilani also criticised people comparing President Asif Ali Zardari with former general Pervez Musharraf, saying it is 'unjust' to compare a democratically elected President with a 'dictator.'

"Politicians are not film actors who can be changed," he added.

Referring to the recent tussle between the executive and the judiciary, Gilani said all the state institutions must work within their constitutional ambit.

"Parliament and the judiciary should respect each other. Whatever I did for an amicable settlement of issues related to the judiciary, I did it in the larger interest of the country," he said. (ANI)