I am answerable only to parliament: Gilani

Islamabad, Jan 16 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that under the constitution, he was answerable only to parliament and not to any individual.

He made the comment while referring to a news report that claimed that Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had asked President Asif Ali Zardari during a meeting on Saturday to press the prime minister to take back his remarks about the army chief.

"According to the constitution, the prime minister, ministers, ministers of the state, are all answerable to parliament. I am not answerable to any individual... whenever parliament wants, I will present my viewpoint," the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

He said the president had already rejected a report by a foreign news agency that any such demand was made that either Gilani retract his remarks or give an explanation.

Insisting that all state institutions needed to work within their respective ambits, according to the constitution, he said: "What I said was not an accusation. The government wanted respect for the constitution, rule of law, and all institutions to work within their limits. I said just one thing, that rules and procedures were not followed. And that was the defence secretary's fault, for which we removed him from his post."

Gilani said he was the representative of the people of Pakistan and had always said that parliament would complete its five-year term, as it had been elected by the people of Pakistan. It is important that it completes its term," he added. (ANI)