Pakistani Prime Minister Drops Criticism Of Army

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani waves toward reporters after arriving at the Supreme Court in Islamabad on January 19.

Pakistan's prime minister has distanced himself from earlier remarks that the military had acted unconstitutionally.

Tension has been growing between the government and the military in recent months over a probe into the government's role in a scandal centered on a memo that sought U.S. help in curbing the army's power.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s office said on January 25 that he was "dispelling" comments this month that accused top military officials of subverting government channels in supporting a court investigation of the scandal.

Gilani said the country "cannot work in an atmosphere of confrontation" among institutions.

The remarks followed talks with army chief of staff General Ashfaq Kayani and intelligence chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

compiled from agency reports