Uncertainty prevailed in Pakistan as the coalition partners discussed changing the Prime Minister hours after PM Yousaf Raza Gilani was on Monday summoned to appear in the Supreme Court on Thursday for contempt of court for failing to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
The National Assembly, meanwhile, passed the pro-democracy resolution which asks all institutions to work within their limits under the Constitution.
“The President and his allies held a meeting (also attended by Mr Gilani). The coalition partners asked Prime Minister Gilani to continue but the chances of his ouster have not diminished,” a senior government official privy to the latest developments told this newspaper.
He added, “The names of Aitzaz Ahsan and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi are being considered now (for PM). But the allies will give some other names too if President Zardari finally agrees to change the PM.”
During the meeting with coalition partners, President Zardari said relations with the Army and the judiciary were getting better, adding that the government would not clash with these institutions. He said they had faced the same situation in the past and would tackle it this time as well.
During the meeting, Mr Gilani offered to step down as PM in the wake of the worsening political situation and agreed to appear before the Supreme Court. Mr Gilani said he was willing to make a sacrifice for his country.
A seven-member Supreme Court bench issued the notice to the PM for not implementing the National Reconciliation Ordinance case verdict. Before the court issued the order, Attorney-General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq told the court that no directives were received from President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to implement the NRO verdict.