Islamabad: The resolution of "core issues" between India and Pakistan, including the Kashmir problem, is necessary for stability in the region, Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani said on Monday.
Replying to a point of order raised by the opposition in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, Gilani said there were several unresolved issues between Pakistan and India, including differences over sharing of river waters, alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and the border disputes in Siachen and Sir Creek.
"Resolution of these core issues between India and Pakistan is imperative for regional stability," he said.
Gilani said the government would back the opposition if they moved any resolutions on these issues in Parliament.
The Premier said the Pakistan People's Party-led government has "excellent relations with the judiciary”.
He added "We have respected and accepted all decisions of the judiciary. It is obligatory upon us and the parliament to respect it.”
"We also believe in the trichotomy of power and constitutional jurisdiction of the executive, judiciary and Parliament."
Gilani's remarks about the judiciary came against the backdrop of a stand-off between the presidency and the Supreme Court over the appointment of judges.
President Asif Ali Zardari has not acted on Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's recommendations for the appointment of some judges to the Supreme Court.
The Premier assured Parliament that he would not do anything that threatens democracy.
"The government believes in the supremacy of Parliament and the strengthening of state institutions to promote good governance," he said.
The government is also awaiting the Supreme Court's detailed judgement on its decision to scrap the National Reconciliation Ordinance, a graft amnesty that benefited over 8,000 people, including President Zardari.
Once the detailed judgement is received, the government will seek the opinion of its legal experts.
"But, I assure there will be no clash among the institutions," he said.
The government filed an application this week asking the apex court to review its order scrapping the NRO and directing authorities to reopen corruption cases against scores of politicians.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 18, 2010, 23:53