MARDAN - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has vowed to thwart all ‘conspiracies against democracy’ with the support of the masses.

From day one the PPP and its government had been facing conspiracies but “we foiled them all with the help of people”, Gilnai said, warning the anti-democratic forces that their efforts to derail the democratic process would meet failure in future as well.
But, today PPP is the biggest political force of the country, he said while addressing a public meeting in Mardan on Saturday. Gilani, in a reference to the PML-N top leadership, said those who were alleging that the PPP government was not respecting the institutions have forgotten that the PPP struggled for rights of the people when they were sitting in Jeddah.
He said attempts were made to stop senate elections‚ by-elections and presentation of the 5th budget but all such attempts were foiled with the cooperation of sincere party workers.
The prime minister said the PPP has rendered great sacrifices for the cause of democracy; Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto even shed their lives for it. “We will also defend the cause of democracy at all costs,” he vowed. Gilani said it is honour of the present government to have become the longest serving democratic government of the county as it presented its fifth budget this year. “Our government strengthened institutions by restoring the 1973 constitution to its original form.”
The PM said his government is committed to providing employment to youth and empowering women. He paid tributes to people of Mardan for the spirit of brotherhood they demonstrated during IDPs crisis. People of Mardan always supported the PPP and due to this fact “we say that Mardan is Mini Larkhana”.
He said their coalition government gave identity to Pakhtuns by changing name of the province as well as fulfilled other demands of the people of this province. On this occasion‚ he announced construction of Takht Bhai flyover and reinstatement of dismissed employees. He also announced provision of gas to different union councils in NA-11 constituency.
He said the government has spent huge amounts on projects relating to provision of electricity‚ gas and construction of roads in Mardan, besides provision of assistance to the poor under Benazir Income Support Programme.
Due to the bad weather, the helicopter of prime minister landed at PAF Cantt Risalpur and from there he himself drove a jeep to Mardan Sports Complex, the meeting venue. At 5:45pm, Gilani reached at MSC but he had to wait for the weather to get clear. He started his speech at 6pm and finished it by 6:45pm. Besides, federal and provincial ministers, members of national and provincial assemblies, and many other dignitaries, PPP workers attended the public meeting.
Meanwhile activist of PSF and PYO created disturbance in the gathering; they came near the stage and started chanting slogans. Security officials compelled them to leave the stage area. Later, a strong storm uprooted the tents and the people started to leave the venue.