PML has a better candidate than Musharraf for President

Citing President Pervez Musharrafs re-election in uniform as undemocratic and immoral, Pakistan Muslim League (PML) vice president Kabir Ali Wasti has said the PML has capable and suitable candidates other than Musharraf for the post of President.

Islamabad, Aug 6 : Citing President Pervez Musharraf's re-election in uniform as "undemocratic and immoral", Pakistan Muslim League (PML) vice president Kabir Ali Wasti has said the PML has capable and suitable candidates other than Musharraf for the post of President.

"The Constitution is silent on the election of President Musharraf in uniform, but the steps being taken are not in the interest of the Pakistan Army or the nation," the Daily Times quoted Wasti, as saying.

Wasti further said that if Musharraf is not confident of getting enough votes without his uniform, he must not contest the election.

"If President Musharraf thinks that he can't get enough votes without uniform, he should not contest the election," he said.

The parliamentary party meeting had not supported General Musharraf as presidential candidate, Wasti added.

According to The Nation, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry is now in a position to block Musharraf's plans.

"Lawfully, he can do it. But morally, the Parliament's at the end of its term," Ishaq Khan Khakwani, a Pakistan Government Minister and member of the ruling party, was quoted, as saying.

Khakwani went on to say that he had suggested to Musharraf to hold parliamentary elections in March 2007, but the president was in no mood for the idea.

"He made a mistake," Khakwani added.

"His handling of the stand-off at the pro-Taliban Red Mosque in Islamabad seemed to illustrate the problem, through months of provocation by the mosque's radical clerics, Musharraf watched and waited. By the time he decided to take action, the clerics' followers had built up a fearsome arsenal and were prepared for a fight...." he said.

ANI