Yousuf Raza Gilani smells 'conspiracies' against govt amid row with army

LAHORE: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said some elements were involved in conspiracies against his democratic government in order to prevent the holding of polls to the upper house of parliament next year.

Gilani's remarks came against the backdrop of differences between the government and the army over a probe by the Supreme Court into an alleged secret memo that had sought US help to stave off a feared military takeover in Pakistan after the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.

"All conspiracies are related to preventing the Senate elections," Gilani said while interacting with reporters at a private function in Lahore.

He said the polls to the Senate will be held as scheduled in March next year.

He did not identify the elements behind the conspiracies. The ruling Pakistan People's Party is widely expected to gain a majority in the upper house of parliament in the upcoming polls.

PPP leaders have accused other parties of being behind efforts to remove the government in a bid to stymie the Senate elections.

"There is no room for a government of technocrats, chair-takers or caretakers," Gilani said when he was asked if his government would be replaced by a caretaker set-up.

The Memogate scandal, he said, was a "non-issue" and giving "undue importance to non-issues had put the country's integrity at stake".

Asked about President Asif Ali Zardari, who abruptly left Pakistan for Dubai on December 6 to seek treatment for a heart condition, Gilani said he was fast recuperating and would resume his work very soon.

"He is improving, there is no need for any worry," he said.

Gilani hinted at the possibility that Zardari might return to Pakistan in time to attend events to be held on December 27 to mark the death anniversary of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto.