Pakistani PM, Army chief meet, discuss memo controversy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 17, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani have met to dispel the impression of a confrontation between the military and civilian leaders over the memo case, media reported on Saturday.

The meeting took place after Gilani addressed a meeting of PPP parliamentarians in which he termed the memo scandal a conspiracy against his government and democracy.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office after the meeting that lasted for a couple of hours, agreed that the replies submitted with the Supreme Court should not be misconstrued as “a standoff between the army and the government”.

Taking serious note of the rumors regarding a confrontation over the memo issue, the premier strongly rejected the notion. He reiterated that the government and its institutions remained committed to their constitutional roles and obligations to a democratic and prosperous future for Pakistan.

The prime minister further said that the government’s stance regarding jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on the memo issue was still to be heard by the court.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party government has dubbed the memogate case “fictitious” in a stark contradiction to the stance of military brass, which has called it reality when it submitted its replies in the apex court.

This was decided during the PPP parliamentary party meeting, which was jointly chaired by Prime Minister Gilani and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Prime Minister Gilani categorically stated that memo issue holds no truth and termed it a conspiracy against the government and the present democratic system.

According to insiders, the meeting thoroughly discussed the current political situation in the country, especially with reference to memo case and also discussed the party’s course of action to counter the tirade of political opponents over various issues.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30716488