Bhutto threatens to move SC on uniform issue

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto has threatened to approach the Supreme Court if President Pervez Musharraf went ahead with his plans to seek re-election in uniform even as the ruling PML-Q formally extended its support to the General for a second five-year term for him.

Bhutto, who met Musharraf in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago during which they reportedly reached a political understanding, told the Pakistani media in New York that Musharraf's re-election in uniform was not acceptable to her.

Media reports had earlier claimed that Musharraf and Bhutto had reached a quid pro quo deal to facilitate the General's re-election in exchange for her return to Pakistan from self exile to take part in the general elections due to be held later this year.

Geo TV on Sunday quoted Bhutto as saying that Musharraf's re-election in uniform would be challenged in the apex court.

Bhutto, who was in New York to meet her ailing husband Asif Ali Zardari, said yesterday it would be premature for her to say what would be the stand of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) if Musharraf decided to doff his uniform to continue as a civilian President. A decision would be made when time comes, she said.

The former Premier, however, said her party's informal contacts and talks with Musharraf and the government would continue.

Bhutto's remarks have not come as a surprise to the ruling PML-Q alliance, which yesterday formally backed Musharraf's plans to seek re-election in uniform from the current assemblies between September 15 and October 15. However, some party leaders, including former Tourism Minister Nilofar Bakhtiyar and PML-Q's Senior Vice President Kabil Ali Wasti protested the support to Musharraf.

Bhutto's threat to go to Supreme Court on the uniform issue is no surprise because even if she does not do so, a lot of others, including the lawyers' outfits and other opposition parties plan to challenge it, a PML-Q politician, who did not want to be named, said.

Musharraf has taken into consideration the legal challenge to his re-election posed by a rejuvenated Supreme Court after the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry, he said.

The President has been advised that his continuation in uniform till December 31 cannot be challenged as it has been approved by Parliament, therefore he plans to seek re-election well before that, he said.

According to the PML-Q leaders, the stage is set for Musharraf's re-election by the present assemblies as his alliance parties have a majority in the houses.

Ruling party leaders including Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid claim that PPP would not quit the assemblies, which would be enough to thwart a bid by other opposition parties like former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N and components of Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA) to resign from the houses.

"It would not be surprising if PPP legislators vote for Musharraf. You wait till the deal Benazir struck with Musharraf begin to unravel," he said taking part on chat-shows in local channels.

His comments came as the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the PML-Q yesterday formally approved Musharraf's plans to get re-elected in uniform.

"Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat (Hussain, PML-Q chief) proposed the President's re-election in the month of Ramazan," 'Daily Times' quoted PML-Q leaders as saying.

Wasti opposed the idea of Musharraf's re-election. "It will not only undermine the party's popularity but would also be catastrophic for democracy," he said.

Other leaders who opposed Musharraf's re-election included General (Retd) Majeed Malik and Nilofar Bakhtiar.

Bhaktiar has been in a rebellious mood ever since her party and the government failed to defend her in the wake of the Lal Masjid clerics' fatwa against her for being hugged by her French trainer after a para-jump. She has resigned as as the President of the party's women wing and as Tourism Minister following the incident.

Another senior leader of the party, Nisar Memon, said that confrontation with all those opposing Musharraf's re-election may provoke countrywide protests. He suggested some Constitutional and legal measures to resolve the issue.

PML-Q General Secretary, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, supported Memon's point of view.

There was also opposition to Musharraf's talks with Bhutto, with Malik saying that the government had no moral justification for striking a deal with the PPP as it had been accusing its leadership of massive corruption.

Sayed said that if the PPP was being given relaxations, the PML-N led by Sharif should also be treated equally.

"We must give the PML-N leadership safe passage before the court gives a verdict in their favour," 'Daily Times' quoted him as saying.