LAHORE – President, National Workers Party, Abid Hassan Minto, has called upon the upcoming assembly to carry a resolution to reinstate the deposed judges and to scrape all actions taken in pursuance of the state of emergency of November 3, in its first formal meeting.
Addressing a press conference here Wednesday Minto said no constitutional amendment with two-thirds majority was needed to undo the said dated actions taken by General Musharraf without any legal basis. He said a resolution in the house would be sufficient to annul all his (President Musharraf’s) actions adopted following the emergency. In his view, the act of imposing emergency was unconstitutional and illegal at core, as such the whole structure of the present judiciary built on its basis had no justification. However, he added, it would be for the Parliament or the judges on being restored to deal with this question. In his view, Article 209 of the Constitution may be one course against the judges who supported the unconstitutional acts of Pervez Musharraf.
Minto to a question said the political parties had got a rare opportunity to oust General Pervez Musharraf so they must not miss this chance. He said after Pervez Musharraf is removed from the scene, it would be a responsibility of the lawyers and civil society to keep a vigil on the rulers so that they remain on track to make good their commitment to the people and be united.
He said November 3 step was a gruesome act in our history therefore the parliament first of all should rise to nullify the same and restore the judiciary to its earlier position. He also called upon the PPP and the PML-N to show maturity and abide by the Charter of Democracy which in spirit carried guarantee to adherence with the principles of democracy by them, grant of provincial autonomy as basic for strengthening the federation, termination of the army intervention in politics, and a society established on the rule of law.
Minto disapproved of the amendment in the Constitution through the order of an army chief and said, the Constitution could be amended only through the mode provided by the Constitution itself therefore removal of the judges and other acts taken in light of the emergency, merit immediate removal from the Constitution. He also asked President Musharraf to step down as he had become the most controversial after the election results against him.
Minto disapproved of the amendment in the Constitution through the order of an army chief and said, the Constitution could be amended only through the mode provided by the Constitution itself therefore removal of the judges and other acts taken in light of the emergency, merit immediate removal from the Constitution. He also asked President Musharraf to step down as he had become the most controversial after the election results against him.
Minto has also lauded the struggle launched by the lawyers and the civil society regarding it a major factor in the victory of the democracy loving parties. The lawyers and civil society activists are still in the field with a resolve to continue struggle until the objectives are achieved. The purpose of the long march as announced by Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, is to remind the political parties of the goal they had set before the election towards restoration f the judiciary. The march, he said, did not aim at creating any sort of clash or confrontation but to give the new parliament a reminder. To a question that how could President Musharraf feel safe given the pressure built against him he said, if the army comes to his back or a martial law comes in which he said with confidence, would not happen.
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