I will not resign on moral grounds: Prime Minister Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was convicted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, seems unconvinced by those who say he should quit his post on moral grounds.

In his view, the conviction in the contempt-of-court case against him is not related to disqualification.

While speaking to the media, the defiant premier observed, “The 30-second detention which, will also qualify a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records, does not have anything to do with his disqualification”.

Asking the opposition to show some patience, he said he had right the right to appeal against his conviction. The regulation of the house was the Speaker’s privilege and that if the speaker, Dr Fehmida Mirza, disqualifies him he will join the quit the post, he added.

Quoting the example of former American president, Bill Clinton, when he found guilty of the charges against him but did not resign, he said why he was asked to tender his resignation on moral grounds.

Gilani commented, “Some say why did I not tender a resignation on the basis of morality, I ask, was I convicted for committing any acts of moral turpitude? I was only convicted because I acted according to the Constitution”.

In his view, he was fully independent and enjoyed immunity while performing his duties, adding he respects the court orders, which was why he appeared three times.

He lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), asking how Nawaz Sharif managed the long journey from Adiala Jail to Saudi Arabia. He said he received many similar offers during his imprisonment but he opted not to choose the shortcuts.

He remarked, “I spent 10 years of life in jail. I was jailed only because I gave jobs to the people of Pakistan and at that time too, I had told the court that if giving employment to the people is a crime then I will commit this crime again and again”.

In quite an odd move, Gilani termed Imran Khan better than Nawaz Sharif in the present scenario, who was digging up corrupt politicians.

He expressed oddness saying he did not know of any such law which powered the court the authority to disqualify a democratically elected chief executive of the country. Expressing his feelings he recited a verse of Mirza Ghalib.

Be khudi besabab nahin hai Ghalib, (This unconscious state – not without cause or reason), Ghalib… Kuch toh hai jiski parda dari hai (There’s something here that’s surely being veiled).

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 30 2012. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.