Everybody in the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is supposed to be steadfast in the principles of democracy and protect the Constitution gifted to the nation by the founder of the party late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,” he remarked during a lengthy interaction with Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf who called on him at the Presidency where Yusuf Raza Gilani is staying.

Gilani had come to the federal capital last week. The former PM and the new chief executive exchanged notes in their extensive interaction on Sunday. Well-placed sources privy to the meeting told The News that Raja Pervaiz Ashraf paid rich tributes to the sagacity and farsightedness of his predecessor.

“I cherish the noble tradition you have left for me and I intend to earnestly follow the same as the PPP is proud of your role,” Raja said. He felicitated Gilani on the remarkable victory of his son, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, in the NA-151 by-polls in Multan.

The prime minister said that the return of Abdul Qadir Gilani in the by-polls was the manifestation of the affection of the people of Multan for the Gilani family and its contribution for the cause of the people.

PM Raja said: “At the same time it has silenced all those who were trying to create doubts about the popularity of PPP. The success of Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani is a vindication of the pro-people policies of the government as well as their faith in the present coalition government since it is striving hard to take the country out of difficulties.” The prime minister expressed confidence that the PPP and its allies would stand shoulder to shoulder in the up-coming general elections and emerge victorious again. The prime minister said that Gilani’s commitment to uphold the Constitution will be remembered forever and reiterated the government’s resolve to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

The appointment of Justice (R) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, an eminent jurist of impeccable integrity, as chief election commissioner (CEC) of the country, should dispel any doubt about the fairness and transparency of the next general elections, the PM said. He reminded that the new CEC was in the list that then Prime Minister Gilani had before him for consultations with the opposition.

Meanwhile Gilani said that he would continue to work for the party and the welfare of the people. He expressed his confidence in the sincerity and competence of Prime Minister Raja and prayed for his success in achieving the goals he had set before him for the wellbeing of the country and its people.

The meeting lasted more than two hours as the two leaders discussed a wide range of subjects including the political situation prevailing in the country. They also agreed to continue mutual consultations regularly for the betterment of the people and party, sources added.