Pakistani lawmakers rally behind PM Gilani

A number of parliamentarians met and told Yousuf Raza Gilani that they would stand firm by him after the prime minister spoke of the supremacy of parliament in a tussle with the army.

A number of parliamentarians met and told Yousuf Raza Gilani that they would stand firm by him after the prime minister spoke of the supremacy of parliament in a tussle with the army.

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The parliamentarians extended full support to the prime minister for his assertion that “State within a State is not acceptable” and that all institutions should perform their responsibilities in accordance with the constitution, reported the Associated Press of Pakistan.

The country witnessed heightened tension between the government and the army after Gilani on Thursday said: "Nobody can say that he is not under the government." He added that conspiracies were being hatched to "pack up an elected government".

Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, however, dispelled speculations of a military takeover and assured the naion that the army will support the democratic process in the country.

A press release issued by the PM House said the parliamentarians stood firmly behind the prime minister for safeguarding and promoting democracy.

In a meeting held at the PM’s House, the parliamentarians expressed their satisfaction over the fact that the political leadership of all shades of opinion were pro-democracy and opposed any unconstitutional move.