Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the Constitution has explicitly spelt out ways to remove him from his position, and added that no one can force him out.
Gilani said that he would not step down through unconstitutional means, and would exhaust all means to have a fair trial.
"I have no yearning to stick to power, but I will take it to a finality and exhaust all avenues," The Daily Times quoted Gilani as saying.
When asked about the stance taken by him on the issue of non-implementation of the Supreme Court's order and the subsequent conviction for contempt, Gilani said all his decisions "were in line with the Constitution".
Gilani stressed that he enjoyed complete immunity under the Constitution, and he only did what he thought was the right thing.
"I took all decisions to the best of my abilities and in line with the rules and procedures, and in good faith," the report quoted him as saying.
"I am proud that I fought for the Constitution," he added.
Gilani said even though former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced for nine years; the ruling party never played this up.
Nawaz needed to work hard to remove him as prime minister, he further said.
