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Pakistan PM defends Zardari from mounting criticism
ISLAMABAD Pakistan's prime minister delivered an extraordinary defence of President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday, in the face of mounting criticism of his rule at a time of national crisis.
"Why do they always criticise politicians," Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asked the upper house of parliament in a rhetorical question.
"We should not be used for dictatorship. We should respect the institutions. We respect all institutions provided they also respect us."
Zardari is deeply unpopular. The economy is in tatters, Taliban militants pose a serious threat in parts of the northwest and catastrophic floods have left the government unable to cope with 21 million people affected.
Victims of the floods and the local media have criticised Zardari for not doing more to alleviate their suffering, with columnists, television talk shows and newspapers questioning repeatedly how long he can stay in power.
Zardari's government returned Pakistan to civilian rule in 2008. His term in office is due to end in 2013, although few Pakistani civilian governments complete their full terms in office.
Although Zardari has ceded many of his constitutional powers to the prime minister, he remains Gilani's boss in the Pakistan People's Party as a co-chairman along with his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The supreme court has ordered that hundreds of old corruption cases be reopened after the expiry of a corruption amnesty, including so-far thwarted efforts to re-open cases against Zardari in Switzerland.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance had given Zardari and thousands of people protection from possible court proceedings.
Zardari is immune from prosecution, but his name has become so tainted with corruption allegations in Pakistan that he is nicknamed "Mr 10 Percent".
"The president is the supreme commander of the armed forces. The president is the symbol of federation," Gilani said.
"According to the constitution, the president enjoys immunity. The constitution has been made by parliament and only it can amend it."
Gilani said the courts could approach Zardari when his remaining two and a half years in office ends and his immunity comes to an end.
"We should give respect to the institutions. That doesn't mean respect only to the judiciary. What about parliament and what about the other institutions?"
AFP: Pakistan PM defends Zardari from mounting criticism
ISLAMABAD Pakistan's prime minister delivered an extraordinary defence of President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday, in the face of mounting criticism of his rule at a time of national crisis.
"Why do they always criticise politicians," Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asked the upper house of parliament in a rhetorical question.
"We should not be used for dictatorship. We should respect the institutions. We respect all institutions provided they also respect us."
Zardari is deeply unpopular. The economy is in tatters, Taliban militants pose a serious threat in parts of the northwest and catastrophic floods have left the government unable to cope with 21 million people affected.
Victims of the floods and the local media have criticised Zardari for not doing more to alleviate their suffering, with columnists, television talk shows and newspapers questioning repeatedly how long he can stay in power.
Zardari's government returned Pakistan to civilian rule in 2008. His term in office is due to end in 2013, although few Pakistani civilian governments complete their full terms in office.
Although Zardari has ceded many of his constitutional powers to the prime minister, he remains Gilani's boss in the Pakistan People's Party as a co-chairman along with his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The supreme court has ordered that hundreds of old corruption cases be reopened after the expiry of a corruption amnesty, including so-far thwarted efforts to re-open cases against Zardari in Switzerland.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance had given Zardari and thousands of people protection from possible court proceedings.
Zardari is immune from prosecution, but his name has become so tainted with corruption allegations in Pakistan that he is nicknamed "Mr 10 Percent".
"The president is the supreme commander of the armed forces. The president is the symbol of federation," Gilani said.
"According to the constitution, the president enjoys immunity. The constitution has been made by parliament and only it can amend it."
Gilani said the courts could approach Zardari when his remaining two and a half years in office ends and his immunity comes to an end.
"We should give respect to the institutions. That doesn't mean respect only to the judiciary. What about parliament and what about the other institutions?"
AFP: Pakistan PM defends Zardari from mounting criticism
