Re-elect Musharraf in uniform to save Pak: Rehman

General Pervez Musharraf should be re-elected President in uniform for a second consecutive term to save Pakistan from another spell of martial law, said Fazlur Rehman, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

Islamabad, Aug 1 : General Pervez Musharraf should be re-elected President in uniform for a second consecutive term to save Pakistan from another spell of martial law, said Fazlur Rehman, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

"I think once again we should all deliberate on this option to avoid a repeat of the East Pakistan tragedy (in 1971)," Rehman said.

Rehman, secretary general of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Musharraf could impose martial law again if he failed to win political support for his re-election.

He said the support of the international community, particularly the United States, to Musharraf could embolden him to go ahead with this plan. "I think history should not repeat itself, and there should be no 1969-like marital law in the country," he said.

Rehman voiced tacit support for a power-sharing deal between Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf, provided "it was done in all sincerity".

He claimed the deal was backed by the US and the UK, and added that Musharraf and Bhutto met in Abu Dhabi last week to work out the details.

He did not rule out the possibility of a future Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and PML (Q) government at the Centre, the Daily Times reported.

He warned that the opposition would not allow any general to seize power at Musharraf's behest.

"Gone are the days when the masses pinned their hopes on the generals for solution of the country's problems. Democracy is the ultimate option for the solution of political issues," he said.

ANI