Islamabad: Pakistan's new Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani today won unanimous backing of Parliament without voting after a resolution expressing confidence in him was passed with the support of the opposition including pro-Musharraf PML-Q.

After the National Assembly or lower house of parliament assembled, 55-year-old PPP leader Gillani, who had to seek the mandatory vote of confidence within 60 days of being sworn in, called on the opposition to support him.

"I request the opposition to support me in the vote of confidence in the interest of the nation's solidarity and to send out a message of democracy," he said.

PPP leader Naveed Qamar then moved a resolution seeking the confidence of the House in Gillani, who was elected Prime Minister by the National Assembly on Monday.

The motion was seconded by PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Farooq Sattar and others. It was passed unanimously by the House.

In his first policy speech after being sworn-in as Prime Minister on Tuesday, Gillani today said fighting terrorism will be the PPP-led coalition government's top priority.

Describing extremism as "a serious problem" for Pakistan, he said that restoring peace and eliminating terrorism was "our top priority."

He also expressed the government's readiness to hold talks with those militants who will give up arms.

Source : PTI