Pak House passes resolution backing govt

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday called on the military and judiciary to defend democracy and not to pack up the system as Pakistans beleaguered government got a morale booster when parliament passed a pro-democracy resolution.

Speaking in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament after the resolution was passed by a two-thirds majority in the 342-member House,Gilani said his government may have differences of opinion with the judiciary and military but both institutions must play their role in defending democracy.

As members of the treasury benches thumped their desks,Gilani said the military and judiciary cannot pack up the system or derail it.

His remarks came against the backdrop of the governments confrontation with the military and the judiciary over the memo scandal and the reopening of high-profile graft cases.

The parliament convened to vote on the pro-democracy resolution that was introduced by a junior partner of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party PPP hours after the Supreme Court issued a notice for contempt of court to Gilani.