Gilani rules out possibility of change in government

Islamabad, Nov 18: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani today (Nov 18) ruled out any possibility of a change in government through "unconstitutional and undemocratic means" as a political storm raged in Pakistan over a secret memorandum in which the country's civilian leadership purportedly sought US assistance to stave off a military takeover.

Facing a virtual barrage in the National Assembly on the issue, Gilani told the lawmakers that rumours about the break-up of Pakistan and the dissolution of national intuitions were baseless.

He told the members to refrain from blame game on the controversy, saying, "We have already taken action. What do you suggest that we should do now? Counter-reactions, actions and blame game will not work. We have to go forward and together we will resolve these issues."

The prime minister ruled out the possibility of any change in government through "unconstitutional and undemocratic means", and said the opposition would h ave to await its turn till the general election scheduled for 2013.

While denying President Asif Ali Zardari's involvement in the matter, Gilani also said his government is committed to protecting military institutions like the Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

"The ISI is our institution and we, according to the Constitution of Pakistan, are protecting our institutions," Gilani said.

He said Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani had been called to Islamabad to provide an explanation on the memorandum.

PTI