In his address, Gilani said democracy and democratic institutions could not be strengthened if political parties did not respect each other's mandates. The Pakistan People's Party, he said, would continue to address the people's problems and to ensure the sovereignty and security of Pakistan.
Sharif had led thousands of protestors through the streets of Lahore on Sunday in a massive show of strength, adding to the isolation of the Pakistan People's Party and its co-chairman, President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani invited the PML-N to work with all other political forces for the implementation of the 'Charter of Democracy', a document signed by the PML-N and PPP in 2006, to strengthen democracy in the country.
He directed provincial governments to lift prohibitory orders banning rallies and protests that were imposed when the lawyers' movement and opposition parties launched the 'long march' on March 12. Gilani also directed authorities to release all persons arrested during the protest.
The prime minister recalled that slain PPP chairperson and former premier Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari had both pledged to reinstate Chaudhry. However, this could not be done when the PPP formed its government after last year's general election as Dogar had already been appointed as the Chief Justice, he said.
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