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Former Pakistani speaker Gilani nominated for PM

So what are this mans credentials?

Does he have what it takes?
 
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Would-be premier: a profile

By Amir Wasim



Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, a member of an influential political family of Multan, started his political career in 1978 after the death of father Makhdoom Alamdar Hussain Gilani, who was a signatory to the Pakistan Resolution.

Mr Gilani’s grandfather, Makhdoom Ghulam Mustafa Shah Gilani, and paternal uncle Makhdoom Raza Shah Gilani had been elected members of the legislative assembly after defeating the Unionists in the 1946 elections.

Mr Gilani’s great grandfather, Makhdoom Raja Bakhsh Gilani, was both mayor of Multan in 1921 and member of the Central Legislative Assembly of India.

He served as a member of the assembly from 1921 till his death in 1936 and was known as the father of the Indian Assembly.

Mr Gilani was the first elected chairman of the District Council, Multan. He defeated the local government minister Syed Fakhar Imam, some 25 years ago.

In the 1985 non-party elections, he was elected MNA and became the minister for housing and railways in the cabinet of Mohammad Khan Junejo.

In 1988 elections, he defeated the then Punjab chief minister Nawaz Sharif on PPP ticket.

In 1990, again on a PPP ticket, he was elected an MNA after defeating Makhdoom Hamid Raza Gilani, a former federal minister. In 1993, he defeated Malik Sikander Hayat Bosan and later became Speaker of the National Assembly.

Mr Gilani contested the election in 1997 on a PPP ticket, but the party did not win a single seat in Punjab.

He was jailed in 2001 over charges of misuse of his authority by giving jobs to undeserving people in the National Assembly Secretariat when he was the speaker.

He spent six years in jail and could not contest the 2002 elections. During his detention, he also authored a book, ‘Chahe Yusuf Se Sada’.

He was made the senior vice-chairman of the PPP in 1998.

Mr Gilani has four sons and a daughter.

He is also related to Pir Pagara, the head of PML-Functional.

Would-be premier: a profile -DAWN - Top Stories; March 23, 2008
 
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Hey, atleast democracy is working, rather then military rule.:cheers:

Democracy only works only if the politicians are honest. But we have no honest politician at the moment. Until the politicians learn some responsibility the people will never trust them and will always reject them and opt for military rule.
 
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I didn't know Gilani comes from a political family. I mean I just read his grand father and his grand uncles were signatories of the Lahore Declaration. I just hope this guy can do something which is as wonderful as his elder generations did.
 
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I’m servant of the people, not PM: Gillani

ISLAMABAD: People’s Party nominated candidate for Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani has said, “I’m not the prime minister, but servant of the people.” Addressing a brief press conference here, Yusuf Raza Gillani said he was not the prime minister, but servant of the people. He said that the democratic process whatever visible was due to the great sacrifices of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He vowed practicing the Charter of Democracy and meeting the expectations of the people. Yusuf Raza Gillani on this occasion congratulated the newly elected National Assembly Speaker, Fahmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker, Faisal Karim Kundi.

Courtesy Geo
 
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New PM to take oath without cabinet

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, March 22: Makhdoom Yusuf Raza Gilani is expected to take oath as the country’s new prime minister next week. But the differences which have cropped up between the parties making up the incoming coalition government may mean that he will take oath of office without his cabinet members, according to sources.

President Pervez Musharraf will administer the oath of office to the new prime minister on Tuesday. PPP information secretary Sherry Rehman confirmed that there was a possibility that ministers would not take the oath with the prime minister.

“It has not yet been decided that the cabinet will take oath with Mr Gilani,” said Ms Rehman, who is a member of the special committee of the coalition parties which has been discussing the issue of the cabinet positions for the past three weeks.

The sources said there was a consensus among the coalition parties over the formula for their representation in the federal cabinet and parliamentary standing committees, but there were still differences on the allocation of some ‘strategic portfolios’ like interior, defence, finance and foreign affairs.

Under the agreed formula, all the coalition partners will get representation in the cabinet in proportion to their seats in the National Assembly and the Senate.

A source said that in one of the meetings, the PPP and the PML-N members agreed to hold a draw on the important portfolios.

As a result of the draw, the ministries of information, foreign affairs and commerce went to the PML-N whereas the PPP got the portfolios of interior, finance and industries.The source said the PPP was not willing to accept the ministry of finance due to the poor state of the economy and later tried to convince the PML-N to keep the finance ministry with it in exchange of information or foreign affairs ministries.

However, the PML-N is now reluctant to withdraw from its claim on the two strategic ministries and this situation has created a deadlock.

The sources said the PPP initially wanted that the formula should only be finalised in accordance with the representation in the National Assembly, but on the demand of other coalition partners — the ANP, PML-N and the JUI-F — it later agreed to consider the parties’ strength in the Senate as well.Moreover, the sources said, the PPP desired to keep the strength of the cabinet small, but there was pressure on the party from the other coalition partners to go for a large cabinet.

If the PPP agrees to the present formula, which is being discussed in the committee of the coalition partners, then there will initially be a 20-member cabinet which will later be expanded to 60 or 70 members to equal the much-criticised team of former prime minister Shaukat Aziz.

New PM to take oath without cabinet -DAWN - Top Stories; March 23, 2008
 
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Finally, it’s Gilani

By Raja Asghar

ISLAMABAD, March 22: The Pakistan People’s Party on Saturday named Makhdoom Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for election as the country’s next prime minister to head a landmark coalition of former political rivals, ending weeks of suspense on a day of high political drama that also saw some old friendships being punctured and a new one initiated.

Wiles and guiles of politics were in full play in Islamabad before a statement from PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari announced the choice he said he had made through consultations within the party and with coalition partners, dumping the other most prominent hopeful, Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

The nominee of the PPP, which emerged as the largest parliamentary group in the Feb 18 election, will be the coalition’s joint candidate whose election by the National Assembly for a five-year term, set for Monday, is a foregone conclusion because of the expected support by more than two-thirds majority in the 342-seat lower house.

Mr Fahim, a senior vice-chairman of the PPP, like Mr Gilani, and president of the party’s electoral arm of PPP Parliamentarians, immediately accepted the nomination despite strongly pressing his candidacy publicly in the past, and told the media by telephone from Karachi that he would arrive in Islamabad on Sunday “only, only and only” to vote for Mr Gilani on Monday.

The nomination was earlier due to have been announced by PPP boy chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who, according to party officials, had come home during a studies break in Britain only for this purpose.

But in an apparent last-minute change of plans amid murmurs about the wisdom of involving the 19-year-old undergraduate in a controversy and to announce a choice he was not expected to make, the task was left to a statement from Mr Zardari that was read out to the media by party spokesman Farhatullah Babar.

However, the statement spoke of consultations having been held with Bilawal as with other coalition partners and unspecified party members and made no mention of Mr Fahim, whose candidacy had fed rumour mills for weeks after media reports that Mr Zardari and main ally PML-N had developed some reservations about the PPP’s most senior parliamentarian because of his past contacts with President Pervez Musharraf.

Though Mr Zardari never spoke about the matter publicly, Mr Fahim had reacted to a statement by PML-N MNA Khwaja Mohammad Asif by stating recently that he had such contacts during the lifetime of assassinated party leader Benazir Bhutto on her directives and Mr Zardari was aware of those made afterwards.

While the PPP prepared for the announcement of its prime ministerial candidate, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) stunned the opposition alliance by withdrawing its member Farooq Sattar as joint opposition candidate for the office to give an unconditional support of its 25 National Assembly members to the PPP nominee.

The sudden move left the formerly ruling Pakistan Muslim League and its allies with no option but to look for an alternative.

Political observers were intrigued by the sudden MQM’s withdrawal from the race, which set off speculations about a possible role of President Pervez Musharraf because of his perceived sympathies for the party. The move came after a reported telephonic contact between Mr Zardari and MQM’s self-exiled leader Altaf Hussain.

Strangely, leaders of both the MQM and PML said they would remain together in opposition though one of them will vote for the PPP candidate.

Some political sources speculated that peace with MQM could help the PPP overcome any problems in its main power base of Sindh province due to the rejection of Mr Fahim’s candidacy or to neutralise any future challenge from any other coalition partner at the centre.

Mr Zardari said in his statement that a “consensus has been achieved” in nominating Mr Gilani after completion of consultations within the PPP, with coalition partners and with Mr Bilawal Bhutto.

“I have great pleasure in calling upon Makhdoom Yusuf Raza Gilani in the name of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to accept the heavy responsibility and lead the coalition government and the nation to greater heights and a glorious future,” the statement said and added: “Makhdoom Yusuf Raza Gilani is not afraid to lead and he knows the way.”

The PPP co-chairman said his “thoughts and prayers” were with Mr Gilani, the coalition government and the people of Pakistan and that he wished them “all success in the challenges that lie ahead”.

He further said: “On this occasion my thoughts go to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who led from the front the fight for democracy and laid down her life. I also recall the sacrifices of those countless martyrs who valiantly fought along with her throughout the years and died for the cause. Their sacrifices have illumined the path that will be traversed by the generations to come.”

Finally, it’s Gilani -DAWN - Top Stories; March 23, 2008
 
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Yusuf Raza Gillani

By Syed Shoaib Hasan
BBC News, Islamabad


By his own admission, Pakistan's Prime Minister-designate Yusuf Raza Gillani, has not been one of the "good boys" of President Pervez Musharraf's regime.

The regime tried to coerce him into joining many of his Pakistan People's Party (PPP) colleagues in switching sides.

But Mr Gillani refused to do a deal with Mr Musharraf and his loyalty is much admired within his party.

He went to jail in 2001, serving five years following a conviction over illegal government appointments.

This was during his term as Speaker of parliament between 1993-96.

The sentence was passed by an anti-corruption court formed by President Musharraf as part of what he termed measures to cleanse politics. His opponents say it was a means of intimidating and coercing their members to join his government.

For Mr Gillani that was never a choice, his supporters say. A tall, softly-spoken man with an air of authority, supporters say he is known for doing the right thing.

In 1995, Mr Gillani issued instructions for the release of parliamentarians detained by his own PPP government.

When the interior ministry refused to oblige, he had the matter brought on record - a quite unprecedented action.

His remarks after he was sentenced in 2001 were similarly unequivocal.

He told the Dawn newspaper that the charges were "concocted and were fabricated to pressurise him to leave the PPP".

"Since I am unable to oblige them, they decided to convict me so that I could be disqualified and an example set for other political leaders who may learn to behave as good boys," he said at the time.

His stance and defiance won him many admirers, even among the government.

Political family

Anti-establishment politics and leadership is seen as something of a birth right for him.

He was born on 9 June 1952 in Karachi but his family hails from the Punjab.

The Gillanis are among the most prominent of landowners and spiritual leaders in the south of the province. Their home town is the ancient Punjabi city of Multan, one of the oldest unbroken human settlements in the world.

The family's prominence naturally led to vying for political power.

His grandfather and grand-uncles joined the All India Muslim league and were signatories of the 1940 Pakistan resolution. This was the declaration which eventually led to partition.

His father, Alamdar Hussain Gillani served as a provincial minister in the 1950s.

Mr Gillani joined up in 1978 when he became a member of the Muslim League's central leadership.

This was soon after he completed his MA in journalism at the University of Punjab.

His first term as a public servant was as a nominee of General Zia-ul-Haq.

The Pakistan Army chief had been the country's dictator since he overthrew elected Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in a 1977 coup.

Mr Bhutto was later executed in 1979, an act that forever soured the relationship between the army and the PPP.

Mr Gillani was elected as the chairman of the Multan union council in 1983.

Two years later he was elected to the federal parliament. It was during this first stint that circumstances arose which led to his leaving the League.

While serving as a minister he fell out with then Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Junejo. This led to him being replaced as minister and sidelined in the party.

In his book, Chah-e-Yusuf ki Sada (Reflections from Yusuf's Well), which he wrote in jail, he said: "I was furious, and helpless at the same time, I knew I could not continue... and then I made up my mind."

Bhutto loyalist

Mr Gillani says he went to Karachi to meet Benazir Bhutto, Zulfiqar Bhutto's daughter, then very much in the political wilderness.

General Zia was still in power and the PPP faced an uncertain future.

Mr Gillani says he presented his offer to immediately join the PPP.

"Ms Bhutto said to me, 'There is nothing I can offer you, why have you come?'"

Mr Gillani said his reply was what sealed his relationship with the PPP and the Bhuttos.

"I said to her, there are three types of people in this world. "Lovers of honour, of wisdom and of wealth. I am of the first type, and that is all I want."

Soon afterward, General Zia dismissed Mr Junejo's government. Mr Gillani then joined the PPP, months before the general's death bought an end to its political exile.

Observers say it is his loyalty and his disdain for politicking within the party that has earned him the nomination for prime minister.

Many believe he would be willing to quietly step aside if Ms Bhutto's widower Asif Zardari becomes an MP and therefore eligible to become prime minister.

Mr Zardari is currently the party chairman, and party leaders believe another person being prime minister would create internal divisions.

"[Mr Gillani] was perhaps the only man among the top leadership who did not badger Zardari for this or any other position," says one PPP insider. "This along with the fact of his proven loyalty, has earned him the nod.

"They know that this more or less guarantees he will abide by all future party decisions over changes in government."
 
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Thats a good news .he is a Multani and people in Multan are very happy.

One thing more the guy is

1)Educated.
2)Clean.
3)Not a Mr.Yes man .WHo would obey Zardari blindly.he is a man of principles even as a Speaker Benazir was annoyed at his production orders of opposition.

4)I think he should be a patriot .Since his grand fathers Signed LAHORE DECLARATION .
 
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Thats a good news .he is a Multani and people in Multan are very happy.
One thing more the guy is
1)Educated.
2)Clean.
3)Not a Mr.Yes man .WHo would obey Zardari blindly.he is a man of principles even as a Speaker Benazir was annoyed at his production orders of opposition.
4)I think he should be a patriot .Since his grand fathers Signed LAHORE DECLARATION .

Does it matter which city the guy is from. He is given a mandate by the people and he must live up to it and if he doesn't their are presidents we have in the past of what will happen to him if he doesn't respect the mandate which the people gave him.
1-Everyone in the National Assemble is educated and we have more educated people sitting in the Assembly.
2-When you say clean I think you are reffering to his criminal record. I am sorry to dissappoint you but he spent 4 years in jail but that hardly makes a difference in Pakistani politics. I think it should be a requirement in Pakistani politics that if you want to be a politicians you must of gone to jail at least once. This should be a requirment along with having a degree.
3-He is going to be a puppet Prime Minister, with Zardari pulling all the strings. I think he will step aside as soon as Zardari comes into the National Assemble.
4-I wish your statment is true. I really do wish he is a true patriot like his elder generations. But again we have many politicians who have a history like his and look what they did to the country. Mujib was an active Muslim League leader but he ended up breaking Pakistan.
 
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Gillani 22nd Prime Minister since independence

ISLAMABAD, Mar 23 (APP): After winning election, Yousaf Raza Gillani would be the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Data of Cabinet Division shows 20 Prime Minister till Mr Shaukat Aziz with Mohammedmian Soomro becoming 21st Prime Minister after taking over as Caretaker Prime Minister. This way Mr Gillani would be 22nd Prime Minister. Late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif each served twice as the Prime Ministers.

Following is the list of Prime Ministers since independence including the Caretaker Prime Ministers:

Name From To



1- Mr.Liaquat Ali Khan 15-08-1947 16-10-1951

2- Al-Haj Khwaja Nazimuddin 19-10-1951 17-04-1953

3- Mr. Mohammed Ali (Bogra) 17-04-1953 11-08-1955

4- Mr.Mohamad Ali (Ch.) 11-08-1955 12-09-1956

5- Mr. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy 12-09-1956 18-10-1957

6- Mr. Isamil I. Chundrigar 18-10-1957 16-12-1957

7- Malik Firoz Khan Noon 16-12-1957 27-10-1958

8- Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto 14-08-1973 05-07-1977

9- Mr. Mohammad Khan Junejo 23-03-1985 28-05-1988

10- Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto 02-12-1988 06-08-1990

11- Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (Caretaker) 06-08-1990 06-11-1990

12- Mr. Mohammad Nawaz Sharif 06-11-1990 18-07-1993

13- Mir Balakh Sher Mazari (Caretaker) 18-04-1993 26-05-1993

14- Mr. Moeen Qureshi (Caretaker) 18-07-1993 19-10-1993

15- Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto 19-10-1993 05-11-1996

16- Malik Meraj Khalid (Caretaker) 05-11-1996 17-02-1997

17- Mr.Mohammad Nawaz Sharif 17-02-1997 12-10-1999

18- Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali 23-11-2002 26-06-2004

19- Chaudhry Shujat Hussain 30-06-2004 27-08-2004

20- Mr. Shaukat Aziz 28-08-2004 15-11-2007

21. Mohammedmian Soomro (caretaker) 16-11-2007 till date

Associated Press Of Pakistan - Gillani 22nd Prime Minister since independence
 
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Makhdoon Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani ... isnt it a hoot ... i must say ...
I can very vividly remember the video displaying the honourable Primie Minister pressing the front of Ms Sherry Rehman in a rally ...
God has blessed us with such great leaders ... :D
Yet another history in the making .. i am sure the KHUL kat GEO tv will never show that video ... or will they ... i am sure they have the clipping .... :D :D
 
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That one is still on you tube.

Dont know that was a mistake or intentional.


But the guy has a good past .I mean

1)As a speaker he didnt obey Benazir Bhutto and issued production orders of opposition.

2)As far as jails are concerned.Establishment jails politicians on pitiful charges.

Chief justice was declared corrupt on just spending 2 or 3 more days in rest houses and Fueling his car on gov money.

Thats all.

And while it lets go people like Arbab Ghulam who gave the tender worlds third largest coal reserves to a single Company on peanuts.It was a good luck that the company couldnt arrange the capital and the agreement was scraped other Pakistan would have lost its 60 trillion $ coal.

and Shaukat Aziz Getting kick back from Privatization and Runnin like ABSCONDERS.

and nasim Ashraf ganging up 90 million rupees.
 
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He seems to stand by his prinicples which is a good thing and I will find him agreable as long as he puts the interests of Pakistan first.
 
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Democracy only works only if the politicians are honest. But we have no honest politician at the moment. Until the politicians learn some responsibility the people will never trust them and will always reject them and opt for military rule.

You look at United State or India, tell me which politician is honest. It Democracy process that keeps them in checks and balance. I see a bright future for pakistan in democracy even if this guy is not honest then military or dictator rule.
 
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