Former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has demanded constitution of Parliamentary Accountability Committee on the issues like National Action Plan (NAP), China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and National Assembly's ratification on Panama Leaks bill, which the PPP had approved in Senate.
Addressing the lawyers at Multan District Bar in connection with lawyers' movement for Saraiki province here on Saturday, he said people should elect representatives for playing their role in passing Saraiki province bill from the National Assembly. He said the PPP had passed the bill of separate province from Punjab Assembly and Senate in collaboration with the cooperation of other parties but the bill was waiting for its approval from the National Assembly with
He said the PPP had passed the bill of separate province from Punjab Assembly and Senate in collaboration with the cooperation of other parties but the bill was waiting for its approval from the National Assembly with two thirds majorities. He said he was the first Prime Minister and Asif Zardari was the first president of Pakistan formally demanded creation of Saraiki province in the floor of the house in National Assembly.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said but he was removed from Prime Minister Office for playing his role in the creation of Saraiki province. The maximum punishment for contempt of court is six months but he was disqualified from contesting the elections for five years.
"My first Executive Order was issued in capacity of the Prime Minister to release all judges including Iftikhar Chaudhry and their reinstatement. My actual convictions was till the rising of court for 32 seconds in contempt of court but I am send packing and disqualified for five years from contesting the election", Gilani said. The punishment was the result of his demand for the creation of Saraiki province, he said.
While revealing discussion on judges release and reinstatement held between him and President Asif Zardari, he said that the then President Asif Zardari called him when he was going to address nation and announce the release of all judges. He met President Asif Zardari at President House and he questioned Gilani was he going to release and reinstate all judges?
Gilani responded positively saying yes he was going to release judges through his Executive Order. Asif Zardari backed Gilani's stance and said that the then Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani is scheduled to meet him in the evening and he will be taken into confidence on the matter before Gilani address to the nation.
"When I, Asif Zardari and General Kiyani were present in the meeting and Zardari revealed Kiyani that Gilani is going to release judges through his Executive Order. Kiayani turns towards Zardari and looks in his eyes. Kiayani requested grant him two hours", Gilani said. He said later a campaign was launched in the media deliberately that judges were released and reinstated on the orders of General Kiayani.
Syed Yousuf Raza categorically dispelled the impression that judges were released on the orders of the then Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiayani. He said the PPP had made another landmark success of removal hanging sword on the parliament of section 58-2B, snatching the powers of dissolution of assembly from President to Prime Minister.
The PPP has closed all the doors of removal of elected governments by exercising 58-2B powers. He said the PPP had made utmost efforts in strengthening the institution of parliament. The present government is too weak and anemic but still survives and nobody can roll her back due to removal of 58-2B, which has saved the future of parliament.
Multan District Bar Association president Azimul Haq Pirzada also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the services and contributions made by Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for south Punjab and his efforts in the creation of separate province. Senior PPP leaders including former Justice Habibullah Shakir, Tariq Malik advocate, ex-MNA Nafis Ahamed Ansari, Manzoor Qadri, Malik Nasim Laber, Khawaja Rizwan Allam, ex-MPA Dr Javed Siddiqui and others were present on the occasion.
