Islamabad, Dec 20 (IANS): There would be no martial law in the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said in an apparent bid to dispel rumours of a military takeover.
He told the National Assembly Monday that there would be no martial law or any caretaker set-up in the country as no one, including civil society and the media, would accept it.
The abrupt departure of ailing President Asif Ali Zardari Dec 6 to Dubai had led to speculation of a coup. Though the president returned to Pakistan late Sunday, uncertainty still persists over a secret memo to Washington that claimed he had feared a military takeover following the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.
"We should not provide such chances which can derail democracy," Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Gilani as saying.
He appreciated leader of opposition Nawaz Sharif for giving statements in support of democracy.