Another setback to PPP-led Pak govt as JUI-F demands Gilani’s resignation

ISLAMABAD - Compounding the pressure on the PPP-led Pakistan government, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman made the call just hours after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced that it was quitting the federal cabinet, although it would not join the opposition.

“The prime minister should resign and the PPP should appoint a new one,” the Daily Times quoted Fazl, as saying.

“He (Gilani) has sabotaged the process of reconciliation among coalition partners and his actions have caused political instability in the country,” he said, adding, “The government is under pressure and the president will have to take this step.”

The JUI-F chief demanded an in-house change in parliament to protect the democratic system, adding that the coalition partners were leaving the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government due to the current political situation.

He said that in the prevailing situation, it was necessary for the PPP to announce the name of new premier for continuation of democracy in the country.

Fazl also appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari to take action against those who undermined his policy of reconciliation, and expressing concern that there were threats to democracy in Pakistan, he demanded the government take steps in the right direction. (ANI)