Pak SC questions amendments in Prez polls rules

PTI / Sep 17, 2007, 15:15 IST

Share

AA

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Pakistan's Supreme Court questioned the Attorney General over the changes in the Presidential poll rules and termed them as a "significant and drastic development".

Pak SC questions amendments in Prez polls rules

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday commenced a crucial hearing on a slew of petitions challenging the holding of dual office by Pervez Musharraf, with a judge taking note of the "drastic" changes in the electoral rules that will allow the General to seek re-election in uniform.
As the nine-member bench began hearing on the main petitions, which also challenge Musharraf seeking re-election while being the Army chief, Justice Javed Iqbal questioned the Attorney General 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.
Attorney General Mallik Qayyum said the bench's verdict would automatically cover the legality of the amendments which relaxed the bar on government servants over contesting presidential polls and in effect allow Musharraf to get re-elected for a second term while continuing as Army Chief.
The bench headed by Justice Rana Bhagwandas 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.
The case would decide the "destiny of the nation and its people", Justice Das said after 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's election.

End of Article

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA