'Army will not come to power in Pakistan'

Pakistan's elected government will complete its tenure as there is no threat to democracy and the army has no intention of coming to power, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

"The army neither intends to come to power nor will it come to power. The judiciary is independent and pro-democratic," he told media personsat his official residence on Thursday.

There is no threat to democracy as the civilian government came to power after making numerous sacrifices and winning the 2008 election, he said.

The army is part of the civilian government and is taking part in flood relief activities at the government's request, he added.

"Despite this if some people are engaged in a debate (about a threat to the government and the army coming to power), they are wasting their time," Gilani said.

He said those who consider the army and the civilian government as two separate entities are living in a 'fool's paradise'.

Some people were wrong in their thinking that the army intends to come to power, he

said.

"The judiciary also supports the democratic system," Gilani told media persons.

The media, people and political parties had made it clear that democracy is the need of the country and the world community will not accept any undemocratic move, he said.

"The mandate of the people should be respected," he said.

Following widespread criticism of the Pakistan People's Party-led government's poor handling of relief efforts in the wake of the unprecedented floods that swept the country and affected over 20 million people, there has been considerable speculation that the government is facing a threat.

The speculation gained ground after Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain called on army generals to take "martial law-like" action against corrupt politicians and feudal lords.

Responding to a question, Gilani said there was no need for the army to give any clarification on Hussain's statement.

"The clarification should come from those who gave the statement, and they have already done it," he added.