Gilani hails armed forces

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has moved to calm mounting tensions between the government and the armed forces, saying the civilian leadership fully supports the military.

His comments came after a confrontation with the military over a probe into the government’s role in a scandal centred on a mysterious memo that sought US help in curbing the army’s power.

“The armed forces of Pakistan are a pillar of the nation's resilience and strength,” Gilani told a meeting of the cabinet defence committee.

“The nation applauds their he- roic services in the defence of the motherland. Our government and parliament and above all our patriotic people have stood fully behind our brave armed forces and security personnel.”

The meeting, in which Gilani called for national unity, was attended by army chief General Ashfaq Kayani, as well as several other top military officials.

Kayani also held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday and government officials in the capital Islamabad said both meetings would help defuse the mounting tensions between the civilian and mili- tary leadership.

The ‘Memogate’ scandal centres on an unsigned note allegedly sent by an aide of Zardari to the US military last May, apparently to avert a possible coup.

The Supreme Court has been tasked with deciding whether the government endorsed the note, and if so, if it can remain in power.

“I am not answerable to any individual. I am an elected prime minister and representing 180 million people and according to constitution I am answerable to the parliament,” Gilani told reporters in central Punjab province yesterday. — AFP