Islamabad, May 30 : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, has told the National Defence University here that a few military leaders have forged ‘unholy alliances’ with ‘a class of’ politicians, bureaucracy, judiciary and affluent members of civil society, and thus prevented democracy from flourishing in Pakistan.’

Pakistan has paid a heavy price for this civil-military alliance and the army’s frequent intervention in politics, Gilani added.

He said that lack of respect for the Constitution, the supremacy of Parliament, democratic norms and the independence of the judiciary were the main factors behind the crises confronting Pakistan.

He also blamed a certain breed of politicians and bureaucrats for compromising on principles and serving unconstitutional entities.

Gilani also welcomed the new military leadership’s initiative to withdraw personnel from civil institutions.

People take pride in their armed forces but wanted to see them confined to defence, leaving other affairs to elected representatives, he said.

Geo-political compulsions had driven Pakistan to a security-first over a development-first approach, said Gilani, but added that his government was striving to create a balance between the two.

However, the first priority of his government was to restore law and order and eliminate terrorism. “War against terrorism is our own battle,” he said; one in which the country had lost “countless innocent” lives.

Gilani also said that his government would provide the necessary support to enhance the armed forces. “Pakistan believes in maintaining minimum credible deterrence as a cornerstone of its national security policy.”

He said the government was working on policies to address challenges confronting Pakistan, which could be implemented only with the co-operation from the civil and military bureaucracy. (ANI)