Islamabad, Jan 29 (IANS) Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said there is no chance of a military coup in the country because the army favours democracy and stability.
“I don’t think there will be a coup in Pakistan ever. There is no threat to democracy,” the Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Gilani as saying Saturday in Davos, Switzerland.
The political situation in Pakistan was thrown into turmoil after Gilani accused army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha of violating the constitution.
The two officials had submitted replies to the Supreme Court on an alleged memo sent to Washington that said President Asif Ali Zardari feared a military takeover following the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
The army warned that the prime minister’s “critical comments” of the military would have “serious ramifications” with “potentially grievous consequences for the country”.
Following this comment, Gilani sacked the defence secretary for “misconduct and unlawful steps he took” in the memo case.
Gilani Saturday said no state institution, military or people wanted a coup and all were in favour of democracy. He said Pakistan was a functioning democracy with a fully empowered parliament.
“We have a vibrant civil society, free media and an independent judiciary,” Gilani added.
