Thaindian News

Islamabad, Oct 4 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that he would not hesitate to take “difficult decisions” in the country’s interest.

At a meeting with a group of journalists at his home here Sunday, Gilani said: “Let me make it clear that the judiciary wants democracy in the country and its top priority is to strengthen it. We will strengthen all institutions and continue with the politics of reconciliation.”

He said he would take a decision in accordance with the law after receiving an “authentic and verified” list of beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Dawn reported Monday.

“The law ministry, the NAB and the establishment division are verifying the list of NRO beneficiaries. The decision will be in accordance with the law,” he said.

“I will take difficult decisions if these are in the larger interest of the nation,” he added.

The NRO was an ordinance issued by the former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf in 2007, granting amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats who were accused of, among other things, corruption, embezzlement and money laundering.

To a query, Gilani regretted that some elements were trying to politicise the army.

“The Pakistan Army is pro-democracy and highly professional. Efforts were made to make my (Sep 27) meeting with the president and the army chief controversial. The meeting was scheduled earlier and convened after the hearing of the NRO case in the Supreme Court.”

He said NATO has apologised for violating Pakistan’s air space and killing security personnel and the government would allow the forces’ fuel and other supplies to continue after “security clearance”.

Pakistan blocked a key NATO supply route to Afghanistan after a cross-border attack killed three soldiers.