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Today's Paper | November 28, 2024

Published 02 Nov, 2002 12:00am

Musharraf told to indemnify his acts thru’ parliament

LAHORE, Nov 1: Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said on Friday that it was in the personal interest of Gen Pervez Musharraf to have all his acts indemnified by new parliament or Article 6 dealing with the subversion of the Constitution would be applicable to him.

Talking to reporters at the Services Hospital, the PML-N acting president said Gen Musharraf was required to have his acts indemnified and he should not close options for him by asserting that he did not need validation from parliament.

He made it clear that no member of the PML-N would take oath under the amended Constitution as the party did not recognize Gen Musharraf’s right to alter the basic law.

He said he would also advise legislators-elect of other parties to do the same or they would be signing their death warrants.

The Makhdoom said it was the National Assembly’s prerogative to elect the new prime minister and Gen Musharraf had no power both under the pre-takeover as well as amended Constitution to appoint one.

He said a session of the National Assembly should be convened without delay to enable the elected members to choose the new leader of the house.

At present, he said, the PML-Q was not in a position to form its government with only 117 MNAs with it. Once the session was convened, any party having majority’s support would be able to have its nominee chosen as the head of government.

Referring to the behind-the-scene efforts being made by the establishment to bring a particular party to power, the PML-N leader said no artificial method would work in the prevailing situation. Coalitions, he said, were formed voluntarily, not through coercion.

He warned that influence being used by the regime to make various legislators-elect to change their loyalties did not augur well for the unity of the country.

He said the PML-N would lend support to any party determined to the restoration of the 1973 Constitution. He advised the rulers that instead of safeguarding their personal interests, they should be keen on protecting national interests. This, he said, could be ensured through peaceful transfer of power to the elected representatives.

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