Up to Musharraf to decide whether to step down: Pak PM Gilani

Sun, May 11 06:17 PM

Islamabad, May 11 (PTI) The new coalition government in Pakistan is working with President Pervez Musharraf "according to the constitution" and it was up to him to decide whether to step down or not, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said. The ruling Pakistan People's Party has not established back channels contacts with Musharraf, he said, adding it would strive to ensure a "balance of power" between the presidency and the parliament.

In an interview to Karan Thapar's 'India Tonight', Gilani said he had "excellent relations" with army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who was appointed to the post last year by Musharraf. Gilani also said his government had the "full support" of Kayani.

Gilani, who was imprisoned for five years on graft charges after Musharraf seized power in a military coup by deposing former premier Nawaz Sharif in 1999, said his time in jail had not made him bitter. "Actually, we both Mr Nawaz Sharif and myself we have suffered a lot.

Even (PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had been behind bars for eight years. I have been behind bars for five years.

I'm not bitter at all," Gilani said. "I have to follow the constitution.

Therefore, I am working with the President according to the constitution of Pakistan," he said in response to a question on whether he could convince Sharif, who has been pressing for Musharraf's resignation, to work with the President. PTI.

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