LAHORE - Former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that judiciary had no authority to dismantle the elected govt of Balochistan.

“If the mandate of people who voted the present Balochistan government into power is not respected, the separatist movement there would get impetus”, he said while talking to journalists after inaugurating the completion of renovation work of the Lahore Press Club, adding, “we should respect mandate of the people instead of criticising each other.” Gilani maintained that all institutions should work within their domains to maintain the trichotomy of power as defined in the Constitution.
He said the Balochistan issue was very sensitive and hence should be tackled carefully.
On South Punjab province, he said some ‘hidden forces’ did not want creation of a separate province comprising the southern region. When asked to name those ‘hidden forces’ , the former Prime Minister gave a smile but declined to divulge their identity, stating, “since they are hidden so let them remain so”.
He said he had been punished for raising voice for the rights of the people of South Punjab.
Gilani said it was the duty of the government to fulfil aspirations of the people belonging to this part of the province.
He assured that PPP-led government would fulfil its commitment of forming South Punjab province within the limits of the Constitution.
To another question, Gilani said the President had immunity under the Constitution and he had protected the Constitution by not writing the letter. To a query, he said it was a responsibility of political leadership and law-enforcement agencies to control problems in Karachi.
He paid tributes to the journalists for always raising voice against dictators, adding, that journalists had played a vital role for strengthening democracy.  He said the PPP had restored the 1973 Constitution in its real form and it was their great achievement. Gilani said the PPP had always followed the Constitution and wanted others to do so.
Gilani said he himself appeared before the Supreme Court three times and dispelled a false image that the PPP did not follow the Constitution.
He was accompanied by Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi. Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Vice- President Shahbaz Mian, General Secretary Zulfiqar Mehto, and Treasurer Afzaal Talib were also present on the occasion.
Later, LPC President Arshad Ansari announced the honourary membership of the Club to Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.