Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday called on the military and judiciary to defend democracy and not to "pack up the system" as Pakistan's beleaguered government got a morale booster when parliament passed a pro-democracy resolution.
Speaking in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament after the resolution was passed by a two-thirds majority in the 342-member House, Gilani said his government may have differences of opinion with the judiciary and military but both institutions must play their role in defending democracy.
As members of the treasury benches thumped their desks, Gilani said the military and judiciary cannot "pack up the system" or derail it.
His remarks came against the backdrop of the government's confrontation with the military and the judiciary over the memo scandal and the reopening of high-profile graft cases.
The parliament convened to vote on the pro-democracy resolution that was introduced by a junior partner of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) hours after the Supreme Court issued a notice for contempt of court to Gilani for failing to revive graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Gilani told the House that he would appear before the court on January 19 as he respected the judiciary. "We have always respected the courts. The court has called me and in respect to the court, I will go on January 19 and appear before (the judges)," he announced.
A defiant Gilani said the ruling coalition had not approached parliament with the pro-democracy resolution because it felt the government was facing a threat.
"We did not come (to parliament) under threat, we did not come to get a vote of confidence, we have not come against any institution nor are we against any institution," he said.
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