Musharraf may doff uniform by Dec 1
Pak President Pervez Musharraf is expected to doff his uniform by Dec 1 once his reelection is validated by the SC so that he can be sworn in for a second term.
By PTI |
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is expected to doff his uniform by December one once his re-election is validated by the Supreme Court so that he can be sworn in for a second term, the top government lawyer said here on Thursday.
Attorney General Malik Qayyum said the apex court is likely to take up the petitions challenging Musharraf's re-election in uniform in the October 6 presidential poll next week.
"President Musharraf not taking off his uniform is not a permanent phenomenon. He has said he will take off his uniform by December one," Qayyum told a news conference here.
Pointing out that the military ruler had been "restrained by the Supreme Court from taking oath for a second presidential term," he said the court is likely to consider the case related to Musharraf's re-election "anytime in the next week" after it disposes of petitions challenging the emergency.
Asked whether Musharraf was certain of a positive outcome in the case as all judges who had opposed the emergency had been sacked, Qayyum shot back: "There is no harm in being optimistic. Let's hope he (Musharraf) gets a positive verdict so that the case of the uniform is buried forever."
Attorney General Malik Qayyum said the apex court is likely to take up the petitions challenging Musharraf's re-election in uniform in the October 6 presidential poll next week.
"President Musharraf not taking off his uniform is not a permanent phenomenon. He has said he will take off his uniform by December one," Qayyum told a news conference here.
Pointing out that the military ruler had been "restrained by the Supreme Court from taking oath for a second presidential term," he said the court is likely to consider the case related to Musharraf's re-election "anytime in the next week" after it disposes of petitions challenging the emergency.
Asked whether Musharraf was certain of a positive outcome in the case as all judges who had opposed the emergency had been sacked, Qayyum shot back: "There is no harm in being optimistic. Let's hope he (Musharraf) gets a positive verdict so that the case of the uniform is buried forever."
He also dismissed suggestions that the case in the apex court was being "fixed", saying: "There is no case of fixing judges. The judiciary in Pakistan is independent."
Qayyum also clarified that Musharraf's current term as President would not end today, as has been widely reported in the media.
"Unless there is a new President, the incumbent will continue," Qayyum said, adding that a 2004 Constitutional amendment and the law allowing Musharraf to hold the offices of both President and Army Chief did not lay down a specific date for the end of his tenure.
Qayyum also pointed out that deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamad Chaudhry and Justice Rana Bhagwandas, both sacked for refusing to take an oath under emergency regulations, had endorsed a Provisional Constitutional Order issued by Musharraf when he had assumed power in 1999.
The Attorney General also clarified that a recent amendment to the Army Act allowed military courts to try only those civilians accused of carrying out attacks or engaging in acts of sedition against the armed forces.
He dismissed speculation that top lawyers like Aitzaz Ahsan, detained for three months under emergency regulations, would be tried by military courts. "They will be tried, if at all, by civil courts," he said.
Qayyum also clarified that Musharraf's current term as President would not end today, as has been widely reported in the media.
"Unless there is a new President, the incumbent will continue," Qayyum said, adding that a 2004 Constitutional amendment and the law allowing Musharraf to hold the offices of both President and Army Chief did not lay down a specific date for the end of his tenure.
Qayyum also pointed out that deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamad Chaudhry and Justice Rana Bhagwandas, both sacked for refusing to take an oath under emergency regulations, had endorsed a Provisional Constitutional Order issued by Musharraf when he had assumed power in 1999.
The Attorney General also clarified that a recent amendment to the Army Act allowed military courts to try only those civilians accused of carrying out attacks or engaging in acts of sedition against the armed forces.
He dismissed speculation that top lawyers like Aitzaz Ahsan, detained for three months under emergency regulations, would be tried by military courts. "They will be tried, if at all, by civil courts," he said.
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