Pak govt committed to restore sacked judges: Gilani

Thu, May 22 09:45 PM

Islamabad, May 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today said his government was serious about reinstating the deposed judges as it was a "commitment to the nation" by the Pakistan People's Party. "People have given us the mandate for restoration of democracy and for supremacy of parliament.

We have to strengthen all institutions of the country, including judiciary and we are committed to restoring the judges," Gilani said while addressing senior journalists from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad at the Prime Minister's House. "This is our commitment to the nation," Gilani said, dispelling the impression that the PPP is "not serious" about resolving the judicial crisis.

Even before the general election, the PPP had been advocating the independence of the judiciary and had always stressed the supremacy of the parliament, Gilani said. "We accord highest respect to the judges and it is our priority to do a lot for them," he added.

Gilani recalled that soon after he was elected Prime minister by the National Assembly, he had ordered the release of detained judges who were deposed last year. Meanwhile, Gilani also assured Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman that the government will redeem its pledge to provide relief to the people in the forthcoming budget despite the acute financial crunch it is facing.

During a meeting with Rehman this afternoon at which the two leaders discussed the political situation in the country, Gilani focussed on various ways to strengthen the ruling coalition and development proposals to be taken up in the forthcoming budget. PTI.

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