ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said the constitutional amendments incorporated by his government are irreversible and need no validation by the parliament to be formed after October elections.

If the future parliament tried to reverse amendments particularly the one pertaining to the National Security Council either “they will have to quit or I will quit,” President Musharraf said at a press conference held here at PTV Chaghi auditorium.

“I am here by making it a part of the constitution through the powers given to me by the supreme curt I do not need assembly’s approval,” Gen Musharraf said in a very categorical terms when newsmen repeatedly asked whether these constitutional amendments were subject to the approval of future parliament.

The newsmen were curious as to what would happen in case of a hung parliament and the government failed to muster two- third majority required for validation of the amendments.

Gen Musharraf minced no word in making it plain that these amendments would not be required to be ratified or approved by the parliament.

The president, who in his opening remarks had made abundantly clear that any body having any objection on these amendments could take legal recourse, said the supreme court had given him the mandate to amend the constitution and they had exercised it ‘in the national interest.’

When pointed out that some critics had been asserting that the supreme court had no powers to amend the constitution then how it could delegate these to any individual or institution, he said, the matter could be referred to the apex court of the country.

The president said that he would continue as the president and the chief of army staff for the next five years and a provision to this effect had already been incorporated in the constitution.

He said they had amended the Article 41(7) and he would relinquish the charge of chief executive. He was not sure about the dates on which his fresh tenure of five years would start.

He had to consult Gen Tanvir Hussain Naqvi, the author of these controversial constitutional amendments. Mr Naqvi like an efficient sub-ordinate sprang in his seat saying that his fresh term would begin the day he would assume the charge as the president.

However, Mr Naqvi did not give any specific date but he was positive that it would not start from the date of the holding of referendum.

Replying to a question about the powers of the future prime minister, he said, he would be totally empowered to run day to day affairs of the government and to formulate different policies, including trade policy, financial policies etc.

The president rejected an assumption that through the establishment of National Security Council, army’s role in the running of the government would be legitimized.

“I will not intrude in the running of the government,” Gen Musharraf retorted. He expounded that the NSC would be set up to introduce a system of checks and balances.

Every army chief had to face tremendous pressure by the public and forced to interfere in the affairs of the government. “I had visited president house for more than 100 times,” he said referring to his tenure as the Chief of Army Staff before the military take over of October 1999.

“If you want to keep army out you bring them in,” the president said giving the rationale behind NSC. “In the presence of this forum the army chief would not take over,” he added.

“We have included those who can take this rash decision,” he remarked later. However, the president repeatedly said that he is not in favour of army rule and believes in democracy.

A number of questions were asked about the fate of Sharif family and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. On asking such questions the president even lost his cool. He said: “what is your view that the looters and plunders would be condoned by the people,” if they were voted into power.

About the Sharif family, he said, they had gone abroad through an agreement between the two governments to which they were also signatory.

He disagreed with a suggestion that the agreement should be made public. They (Sharifs) were unnecessarily creating confusion by issuing statements of their arrival knowing fully well that they could not come.

When his attention was drawn towards an observation of the LHC he said the court had no knowledge of the agreement. Here the law minister bailed him out by saying that the court’s ruling has become infructuous.

The president said that no member of the family could return and contest the elections.

In an emphatic tone he dispelled the rumours about postponement of elections saying they were determined to hold free, fair and impartial elections.

About the lifting of ban on political activities, he said, it would be withdrawn at an appropriate time. However, he said no processions would be allowed and political parties would only have the opportunity to hold public meetings.

He said there was no bar on politicians to appear on electronic media.