‘Musharraf set to name new chief of staff’
PAKISTAN: Federal Minister for Parliamentary affairs Sher
Afgan Niazi indicated that President Pervez Musharraf could relinquish
his military uniform any time and nominate another army general as Chief
of the Army Staff.
In an exclusive interview to a private television news channel, Niazi
said that the political deal reached between President Musharraf and
former prime minister Benazir Bhutto would have long-term effects on
national politics.
“The constitutional ban on Benazir Bhutto from being elected prime
minister a third time can be removed within minutes on directions from
President Musharraf because the PML(Q) and the PPP will jointly have a
majority in both the Houses.
If the clause against a prime minister seeking a third term is not
removed, Benazir cannot contest elections because she had been declared
ineligible under Section 63 of the constitution and the Supreme Court
too had rejected her plea in this regard.
Therefore, the understanding can help sort out her ineligibility,” he
said in response to a question. In reply to another query, Niazi
contended that the president’s election could not be challenged in any
forum or court and reiterated that the head of state would be reelected
by the current assemblies.
He insisted that the President could be elected even in the event of
the opposition resigning en-masse or the provincial assemblies being
dissolved.
“The understanding between the PPP and President Musharraf was
facilitated by the US and the UK which wanted moderate forces in power
in Pakistan,” he added.
Confirming the deal, he said it had come about after 12 different
interactions between the two parties. “The president had taken Chaudhry
Shujaat Hussain into confidence before he left for the UAE for the
meeting with Benazir.”
Meanwhile Pakistan’s Supreme Court is to begin hearing a challenge to
President Pervez Musharraf’s military role in the first such case since
the country’s top judge was reinstated, officials said Monday.
Islamabad, Tuesday, Gulf News, AFP |
