No constitutional crisis in country, says Kaira

LONDON: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday said there was no constitutional crisis in the country as all state institutions fully recognised Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani as the legitimate head of the government.
Speaking to media representatives, the information minister when asked about the timings of the Supreme Court’s judgment soon after the prime minister’s departure to the UK said it provided an opportunity to the Leader of Opposition in the NA Cahudhry Nisar Ali Khan to make statements for not according him due protocol.

He regretted the negative propaganda by some in the country about the PM and said Prime Minister Gilani was the constitutional head of the government.
He said the review of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue and launch of the roadmap for trade and investment with the UK were the key elements of Gilani’s visit.
He said the personal commitment by the British Prime Minister to term Pakistan’s enemy as Britain’s enemy, speaks volumes of the close ties between the two countries.
Kaira said Prime Minister Cameron also lauded Pakistan’s role against extremism and terrorism and gave an all out assurance for support to the country for preferential treatment from the European Union for increased trade.
The Information Minister said the response from the Royal family, the British government and the Parliament to Prime Minister Gilani spoke volumes of respect and importance the United Kingdom accords to his visit.
He said the traffic gridlock in London on Thursday also proved to be a blessing in disguise for the two leaders who got stuck and had an extensive exclusive around 50 minutes interaction.
Recalling the prime minister’s visit to the Buckingham Palace and meeting with the Duke of York, Kaira said he evinced keen interest in developments in Pakistan and assured to mobilise the British business community to invest in Pakistan.
He pointed to the personal interest by the Duke in Pakistan’s economic progress and poverty alleviation.
To a question about reports by a certain section of the media, he regretted the negative comments and stressed that media must remain impartial as partisan reporting was contrary to the ethics of journalism.
He said to point out flaws of the government was the right of media, but to be critical just for the sake of criticism was not professional.
Kaira said it seemed that some reporters were playing the role of opposition, which was wrong, and added that if they wanted to do so they may opt politics as profession.(APP)