Resolution introduced in Pak Parliament

Resolution introduced in Pak Parliament seeking support for a resolution introduced in Pakistan's parliament on Friday sought support for the beleaguered government, currently facing its worst crisis since coming to power nearly four years ago due to a standoff with the judiciary and the military. The resolution, moved by Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, sought the endorsement and support of parliament for "efforts made by the political leadership for strengthening democracy" and called for reposing "full confidence and trust" in the leadership. The resolution was moved on the second day of a special session of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament that was convened by the Pakistan People's Party-led coalition to discuss the Supreme Court's warning that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani could be disqualified if he failed to revive corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. TV news channels reported that the text of the resolution was changed at the insistence of the PPP's allies. The original draft had sought support for the President and Prime Minister but this was replaced with the term "political leadership". The original draft had spoken of a possible "confrontation" between state institutions but this was changed to include a sentence that said all state institutions must "strictly function" within constitutional limits. The National Assembly is expected to vote on the resolution on Monday, when the apex court will resume hearing the case for reopening cases of alleged money laundering against Zardari in Switzerland. On the same day, a Supreme Court-appointed commission will resume its proceedings on the alleged memo that had sought US help to stave off a feared coup in Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden in May last year.