Pakistan Supreme Court adjourns hearing of dual offices case

Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the constitutional petitions against dual offices of the president till Wednesday.

Islamabad, Sept.25 : Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the constitutional petitions against dual offices of the president till Wednesday.

In a pointer that could have a negative impact on President General Pervez Musharraf's chances of becoming a president for a second consecutive term, Justice Javed Iqbal said in his remarks during the hearing that the Doctrine of Necessity had been buried and no decision would be based on it.

Attorney-General Malik Qayyum, while arguing before the larger bench said the election of President doesn't affect the fundamental rights of any person.

Justice Rana Bhagwandas, who was the acting Chief Justice of the apex court between March and July this year, said that it is a matter of national importance that would determine the destination of the nation.

Apparently the petition of Jamat Islami seems maintainable, he said.

The dual offices case relates to Musharraf occupying the posts of President and Chief of Army Staff beyond the Constitutionally stipulated period. There are several petitions pending before the apex court, three of which were rejected.

Last week, the president's counsel in the Supreme Court, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada filed a written statement in the court that General Musharraf would doff uniform after his re-election as president for another term. The statement said that President Musharraf would quit the Chief of Army Staff office before taking oath as president after his re-election.

The statement further said that the Chief Election Commissioner as Returning Officer would check nomination papers of President Musharraf independently according to the law.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), also said the government would accept the decision of the Supreme Court on President General Pervez Musharraf's dual offices case.

"We will respect the verdict of the Supreme Court on the uniform of the President," Hussain told a press conference, adding that Parliament had granted permission of uniform to Musharraf through the 17th Amendment.

Hussain ruled out the possibility of the dissolution of assemblies, saying that not enough time is left for taking this step. He also rejected using the option of martial law in the country.

Reacting to the opposition's threat that it would not cast votes in the presidential election, the PML chief said the government did not seek votes from the opposition. But he appealed to the opposition leaders not to boycott the polls.

"The opposition parties have a right to cast anti-Musharraf vote during the presidential elections, but they should not boycott the presidential polls," The News quoted Hussain, as saying.

ANI