No threat of war with India: Gilani

Seeking to downplay the Indian army chief's remarks that all options were open for dealing with Pakistan, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani today said there was "tremendous" public pressure on Indian government after the Mumbai attacks and insisted there was "no threat of war".

"Both countries are nuclear powers. I think there is no threat of war," Gilani told a news conference during a visit to the Information Ministry.

He was responding to a question about army chief General Deepak Kapoor's comments yesterday that all options were open before New Delhi, including the "fighting option" as a last resort, for dealing with Pakistan.

Gilani indicated that the Indian government's stance is being influenced by public pressure. "There is tremendous pressure of the public on the government of India," he said.

Responding to another question about Pakistan possibly abandoning the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, Gilani said a special envoy of Iran who met him recently had given no indication that the venture will not be implemented.

On the investigation into the killing of Benazir Bhutto, Gilani said the UN probe into the former premier's assassination on December 27, 2007 is expected to start soon.

On the issue of scrapping of the 17th amendment of the Constitution that gives the President sweeping powers to dismiss the Premier and dissolve Parliament, Gilani said the ruling PPP is committed to repeal the provisions.

A two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament is needed for scrapping the 17th amendment. The government is setting up a committee that will examine all suggestions in this regard and then forge consensus on the move, he added.