The Pakistan Supreme Court on Monday had some tough questions for the government over the amendments made in the election laws to enable President Pervez Musharraf to seek a fresh term in office without shedding his uniform, saying this was a significant and drastic development.
The apex court began a crucial hearing on a slew of petitions challenging the holding of dual office by Musharraf with the presiding judge Justice Rana Bhagwan Das stating that the case would decide the “destiny of the nation and its people”.
The Election Commission on Sunday relaxed the bar on government servants contesting polls paving the way for Musharraf to seek re-election for a second term in office in uniform.
As the 9-member bench began hearing on the main petitions, Justice Javed Iqbal questioned Attorney-General Mallik Qayyum on the two electoral amendments by the Election Commission saying they were a “significant and drastic development” and should be taken note of by the court.
The Attorney-General said the bench’s verdict would automatically cover the legality of the amendments in the election laws.
Turned down
The court also turned down a plea by Jamaat-i-Islami and Opposition leader Imran Khan that their petitions against Musharraf be heard by a full court, that includes Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry who had opted out apparently because of his brush with the General.
While the rejecting the petition, Justice Das said some judges had expressed dissent and wanted the full court to be convened. Qayyum said the Chief Election Commission was reluctant to announce the schedule of the presidential poll as the court had admitted the petitions challenging Musharraf seeking re-election.
SAUDI STAND
Saudi Arabia has assured Nawaz Sharif that it would take up the issue of his “exile” and “deportation” with Pakistan after Eid-ul-Fitr, the deposed premier’s party has claimed, reports PTI from Islamabad.
“This assurance was given to him when he had called on King Abdullah on Saturday,” The News reported here on Mondauy, quoting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s party sources as saying, without naming them.
Sharif was deported to Saudi Arabia on September 10, hours after his dramatic return to the Islamic nation from a seven-year exile. The sources said the authorities had assured Sharif that negotiations between the two countries would continue during Ramazan. He was also assured that the points raised by him would be taken up with Pakistan and a final decision would be made by the end of Ramazan or after Eid.
