Islamabad, Jan 20 (IANS) In an oblique reference to the country’s past military rulers, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said “dictators” who boasted of curbing corruption while they were in power could do nothing and have no chance of returning.

Addressing the convocation ceremony of the Lahore College for Women University, Gilani said: “The only stable position rests with the Almighty”, Geo TV reported.

“The opposition is doing its own work and the government would run as per the mandate accorded to them by the people,” he said.

Every institution must work within the ambit of the constitution, the prime minister said. “We have strengthened the state organs by restoring the constitution and my appearance before the court reflects that we respect judiciary.”

Gilani Thursday made a rare personal appearance for a Pakistani prime minister in the Supreme Court here and stepped forth in defence of President Asif Ali Zardari, accused of corruption during his wife Benazir Bhutto’s two stints as premier.

Hauled up by the court for not initiating action against Zardari, Gilani told a seven-member bench during his seven-minute submission that the constitution provides immunity to the president.

The case will now be heard Feb 1, giving breathing time to the 59-year-old prime minister who faces contempt charge from the apex court and has also run foul of the powerful army after sacking Lt. Gen. (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi as defence secretary. Lodhi was seen to be close to army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.