Praising the disqualified premier, Yusuf Raza Gilani, he said Gilani upheld the supremacy of parliament and Constitution. “I congratulate him for all that he did for the people despite so many difficulties and challenges. In doing so, he paid a very high personal price. But he stood firmly to protect democratic principles,” he added.

The president said the party and the democratic forces would always remember Gilani’s contribution and would also always stand by him. He said the detractors of democracy had long been hounding former PM Gilani. “They thought that the coalition will not be able to agree on a new leader of the house. They hoped that it will give them a chance to send the house packing and create political uncertainty, but they have been proved wrong,” he added.President Zardari said the collective wisdom of the elected members of the National Assembly had proved the detractors of democracy wrong. He urged the new prime minister to give foremost attention to address the problems of the people. He said the problem of power shortage in the country must be addressed on a priority basis.

“There are other issues of great concern to the common people: inflation, unemployment and law and order. I am confident that the new government headed by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will address all these issues with zeal and determination. I wish the prime minister and his team good luck,” he added. President Zardari congratulated and thanked the PPP and all coalition partners for endorsing Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as the candidate of the coalition parties.