LAHORE, May 2: Jamaat-i-Islami Asmir Qazi Hussain Ahmed has said that the judges should be restored by an executive order because the ruling coalition lacked two-thirds majority in the senate for the approval of a constitutional package.

Addressing a Friday prayers congregation at the Mansoora Mosque here, he said those talking about the constitutional package were in fact accepting the Nov 2 unconstitutional action of General Pervez Musharraf as valid. He said that the nation had voted against General Musharraf but some of the political leaders were reluctant to respect the public mandate because of their vested interests.

He said that the US was opposed to the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry because of the fear that he would order recovery of the missing persons.

He said that impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf was the only way for solution to all the problems for the ruling coalition because he had violated the constitution by proclaiming emergency as chief of army staff. The ruling coalition had two-thirds majority for the joint session of national assembly and the senate required for impeachment.

WARNING: The Jamaat-i-Islami has termed Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Nuri al-Maliki (Iraqi prime minister) of the PPP.

At a press conference here on Friday, Lahore amir Hafiz Salman Butt said the US was trying to impose Iraq and Afghanistan model of democracy in the Muslim world, particularly in Pakistan, and added that Gen Musharraf had agreed to act like Hamid Karzai (Afghanistan president) of Pakistan.

He warned that the nation would not accept any conditional restoration of judges or any attempt to curtail chief justice's term or powers.

He asked PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari to keep in mind that masses had not given a mandate to his party to strike a deal with Musharraf and co-exist with him for the next five years.

Butt warned that if Gen Musharraf was not impeached, all the national policies for the next five years would continue to come from Washington.

Answering a question about Imran Khan’s decision to contest by-polls from

NA-55 (Rawalpindi) to challenge the PPP leadership, he said the decision reflected political immaturity since the constituency had a majority of anti-PPP voters.

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

AN IMF mission is in Islamabad for unusual, early talks with the Pakistani authorities as the lender seems worried...
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

BARA tehsil, a region typically known for its security challenges and socioeconomic problems, can now boast the...
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....