JEDDAH, 9 June 2008 — Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said yesterday that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was committed to preserve the constitution of the country, strengthen institutions and work toward the reinstatement of the judiciary.

Gilani was speaking at the opening of “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Memorial Auditorium,” at the Pakistan International School Jeddah (English Section) here. Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of PPP, opened the auditorium.

Gilani said he was optimistic Parliament would emerge supreme as the Feb. 18 election verdict was a clear victory for the people of Pakistan. “It was the victory of the mission and philosophy of Benazir Bhutto,” said Gilani, adding: “Our manifesto is similar to that of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto — People Power is the Main Power.” He warned that any violation of the constitution was punishable by law and those calling for its abrogation would be held accountable. He emphasized that the constitutional package proposed by Zardari and drafted by the legal wing of the PPP would restore the confidence of the people in the country.

Gilani said the restoration of the nation’s constitution, streamlining the economy and maintaining law and order in the country were his government’s top priorities.

Responding to a question of sovereignty and national pride, the premier said: “Law and order is a major problem. There are some foreign elements disturbing the peace, and we’ll curb them. Our foreign policy rests on the sovereignty of the country, dignity, honor and self-respect, and we won’t compromise on these.

“We spoke to America and its representatives and told them that we will cooperate in many fields including economy, defense, science and technology, and education. We also want to increase cooperation in intelligence sharing, especially exchange of information, and through this cooperation if we find any element working against the country, we will cooperate in identifying them. But any action that is to be taken will be on our own and we won’t allow anybody to use our borders.”

On the recommendations of Ambassador Shahid Karimullah including the issuance of MRP (machine-readable passport) and 72-page passport for the business community and an increase in quota in Overseas Pakistanis Foundation housing scheme, the premier promised to do his best.

Gilani also said chapters of the Allama Iqbal Open University would soon be opened in Jeddah and Riyadh in order to help students continue their studies without a break. He also praised the PISJ-ES as a key educational institution in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, at the opening of the auditorium, Zardari spelled out the highlights of the constitutional package. “The constitutional package will strengthen the institutions and uphold the sovereignty of Parliament. Our coalition partners are studying it, and if they have any reservations, we will try to resolve them,” he said.

Zardari told an emotional audience: “Benazir’s death is a national loss, but we will avenge the killing of ‘BB’ by changing the system and building a beautiful and prosperous Pakistan.”



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