Musharraf wont be a roadblock in Benazirs road to third premiership

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will not act as an impediment in the way of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto becoming the Prime Minister of the country for the third time, if she emerges victorious in the forthcoming general elections.

Lahore, Oct 29 : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will not act as an impediment in the way of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto becoming the Prime Minister of the country for the third time, if she emerges victorious in the forthcoming general elections.

This message has been conveyed to Bhutto by the administration, the Dawn reported quoting sources.

The administration has also assured the PPP leadership that elections will be free and fair.

Musharraf had earlier made amendments that added a clause banning any person to become Prime Minister for the third time. The amendment nullified the chances of Benazir and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to become the next Prime Minister, since they had already occupied the post twice.

However, a simple majority in the bicameral legislature could lift this ban, provided the President gives his consent to the initiative.

President Musharraf is reportedly keen to work with any political party that forms the next government.

After taking oath for another term as president, Musharraf would not give much importance to whether the new Prime Minister was from the PML or the PPP. They say the president will be willing to work with anyone mandated by the electorate, the daily reported.

To show the administration's neutrality, President Musharraf recently declined the permission to the PPP for holding a party for foreign diplomats at the Parliament House in Islamabad, since it would convey the message that Benazir has already returned to power.

Meanwhile, the PPP claimed that it would be able to form the next government on its own in Islamabad if the elections are held in free and fair manner.

ANI