Gilani takes back words on DG ISI, army chief statements [Express Tribune]

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani took back his words on DG ISI and army chief’s statements given to the Supreme Court in the Memogate scandal, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media at Chaklala airport before heading to the World Economic Forum, Gilani said that his statement of DG ISI and army chief’s responses to the court being ‘unconstitutional and unlawful’were given in a particular situation, but now the situation is clear.

“I want to dispel the impression that the military leadership acted unconstitutionally or violated rules,” said Gilani, according to state television.

He added that he wants to clarify that the statements were given in a particular context and it does not hold any importance now. There was a clash of institutions at that time, but now there isn’t.

On January 10, Gilani gave an interview to a Chinese newspaper where he stated that Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and had not been given approval by the ‘competent authorities’ – in other words the government – before submitting their responses in the Memogate case.

Gilani would be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh among other officials in the annual summit of the World Economic Forum.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold meetings with world leaders who will gather at Davos, the Alpine Resort of Switzerland to deliberate upon the global economic issues.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open the annual event in which 40 heads of state, 18 of the world’s central bankers besides around 2,600 of the world’s top political and business leaders are expected to participate.