Gilani advises tact on Musharraf removal

Islamabad: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, in an interview published here on Wednesday, opposed any move in haste to impeach President Pervez Musharraf.

"On the impeachment of the president, we should not act in haste but consult the coalition partners," he told a leading national daily.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has continued to demand Musharraf's ouster since the defeat of his political allies in the February elections, a stand apparently not fully shared by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The president "has his own constitutional powers and obligations as enshrined in the constitution", Gilani was quoted as saying.

Asked about chances of Musharraf stepping down, he asked the paper to put the question to the president himself but had no doubts whatsoever that the first citizen was expected to address a joint sitting of the two houses of the new parliament to fulfil constitutional obligations and to strengthen democracy and acknowledge the supremacy of the parliament.

"The president has not addressed parliament for many years though the constitution says that it is a must for the president to do so," Gilani said.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore after a meeting with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif yesterday, Gilani said the coalition government remained committed to reinstating the deposed judges.

"We are committed to take steps in this regard as per the Bhurban declaration," he told reporters.