Islamabad, Dec 19: Against the backdrop of tensions between Pakistan's civilian government and the military over the “Memogate” scandal, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today said there would be no martial law in the country as no one would accept it.
Speaking in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, Gilani said martial law would be unacceptable to everyone in the country, including civil society and the media, and the outside world.
Responding to points of order raised by Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the premier said: “We should not provide such chances (to anyone) which can derail democracy.”
He expressed his appreciation for statements in support of democracy made by the Leader of Opposition and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.
Democracy is the only way out for the country and it was irrelevant who was in power, Gilani said. Democracy was restored in the country after political parties made numerous sacrifices and people would always struggle for it, he said.
In a separate meeting with several parliamentarians, Gilani said the challenges facing democracy will “wither away without delay”.
The lawmakers appreciated Gilani's handling of the political situation in the aftermath of the “memo case launched by anti-democratic forces”, said a statement from the Prime Minister's office.
The Pakistan People's Party-led government and the military have adopted differing stands on petitions filed in the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the alleged memo that sought US help to stave off a feared coup after the killing of Osama bin Laden in May.
The military has backed calls for a probe into the “Memogate” scandal while the government has asked the court to dismiss the petitions.
