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Prime ministers

Prime Minister Gilani Lashes Out at PML-N over Military Courts and Saraiki Province Demand

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a rare display of anger, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday sharply criticized Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif for supporting the establishment of military courts in Karachi, saying it would erode civilian authority. Gilani also expressed his support for the creation of a Saraiki province, stating that the people of his area should be given their due rights. The prime minister argued that the military should always be kept in the background in a democratic setup, and questioned the rationale behind the idea of military courts. He also hit back at the PML-N for what he claimed was a double standard on the issue of military courts, pointing out that Nawaz Sharif's party had struggled against army rule in the past.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani lashed out at PML-N President Nawaz Sharif for supporting the establishment of military courts in Karachi, saying it would erode civilian authority.
  • Gilani argued that the military should always be kept in the background in a democratic setup and questioned the rationale behind the idea of military courts.
  • The prime minister expressed his support for the creation of a Saraiki province, stating that the people of his area should be given their due rights.
  • Gilani pointed out that his party, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had struggled against army rule in the past and had a history of promoting democracy.
  • The prime minister said that the PPP had always advocated for federalism and the rights of smaller provinces, and that he was committed to addressing the sense of deprivation among the people of remote and underdeveloped areas.
  • Gilani dismissed the allegation that his party was weakening Pakistan, saying that the country was guarded by the constitution, which was given to it by the PPP.
  • he prime minister referred to a delegation from Hazara, who had met with him to discuss the issue of a new Hazara province, and said that he had talked to Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan about how to resolve the issue.
  • Gilani said that he had come out in support of the MQM's resolution on new provinces, and had directed PPP Chief Whip Khurshid Shah to discuss the issue with all parties and open a debate in the National Assembly.
  • The prime minister pointed out that many people, including former president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, had believed in the idea of a Saraiki province in the past.

Statistics:

  • The Prime Minister pointed out that Multan, the city in Punjab province, was the capital of Sindh some 5,000 years ago when Hindus had a different identity.
  • Gilani said that the demand for a Saraiki province was not a new one, and that it was a legitimate demand of the people of the region.
  • The prime minister said that the PPP had implemented all the resolutions regarding Balochistan except the law and order situation, which was a provincial subject.
  • Gilani pointed out that a delegation from Hazara had met with him to discuss the issue of a new Hazara province.
  • The prime minister said that he had talked to ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan about how to resolve the issue of a new Hazara province.

Sources:

  • Dawn (no date given)
  • The News (no date given)
  • Express Tribune (no date given)

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