World | Pakistan
PM wants parliament to be allowed to run full term
Gilani Cites strengthening of democratic process
- By Mohsin Ali, Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 February 6, 2012
Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said yesterday that the current parliament should complete its five-year term in the interest of consolidating the democratic system in the country.
Speaking to the media here, the prime minister pointed out that not a single elected government in Pakistan had completed its tenure.
"It is in the interest of the nation and its future that the current National Assembly elected in February 2008 general election runs its full course," he said.
Gilani has previously said it was his prerogative as PM to decide when to call the next elections and that he would discuss the issue with political parties after the budget for the new fiscal year starting from July is passed by the parliament, likely in June.
The opposition parties are pressing for fresh elections during the current year, before the due time in early 2013 after the expiry of the five-year term of the PPP government.
Fair poll
The prime minister said the government wants absolutely free, fair and transparent elections under an independent election commission.
He reiterated his view that opponents of the government were hatching conspiracies to stall elections to the Senate due next month because they were afraid the ruling party and its allies would gain the upper hand in the upper house of the parliament as well.
News Editor's choice
-
Ukraine leaders fight over Russian language
Violence erupts in Ukraine parliament over a bill to allow use of Russian language in courts, hospitals
-
CBSE: 100% success in many UAE schools
6,000 students from 53 schools meet grade expectations in examinations
-
'I can’t believe he is not going to come back'
Seventeen-year-old boy went missing in Dubai during a visit from Pakistan
