Islamabad, Nov 25 (IANS) Free, fair and transparent elections will be held on time in 2013, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who stressed that the government was not facing any threat.

Gilani Thursday told mediapersons after a conference here that the opposition was raising issues but the government was not facing any threat and those targeting the government will be disappointed.

"Everybody is playing to the galleries," Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Gilani as saying.

The prime minister said the government firmly believes in democracy and is following law and constitution.

He said: "We respect the mandate given by the people to the political parties."

A secret memo to Washington claimed that President Asif Ali Zardari feared a military coup after the May killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Husain Haqqani resigned as Pakistan's ambassador to the US and former minister Sherry Rehman was appointed the new envoy.

Gilani said a high level committee will soon start the probe into the memo and the investigation will be held in a fair manner.

The prime minister said the government will take care of the challenges being faced by the country.

"Honestly speaking, it will not be easy for anyone to run the government in the face of present challenges," he said, adding: "We are taking forward democracy in a positive manner, in very difficult circumstances."

Gilani said in the National Assembly that civilian and military leadership were on the same page on every issue.

"There is no threat to the government and if there was any, then we would look towards the masses and the opposition," he said.

"We have made a lot of sacrifices for democracy..."