The Hindu : International : Bill allows Musharraf to keep army job

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 15, 2004

International

International

Bill allows Musharraf to keep army job

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 14. The Pakistan National Assembly today approved amid noisy opposition a Bill that would enable the President, Pervez Musharraf, to continue as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

The Bill would now go to the Senate (equivalent of Rajya Sabha) for approval.

The ruling combine led by the Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, commands a simple majority in the Upper House as well and hence the Bill is expected to have a smooth passage.

Confrontation

The issue could snowball into a confrontation between the Opposition and the Government in the days to come.

The Opposition parties have threatened to take to streets if the Government went ahead with the legislation and Gen. Musharraf does not leave the army.

Gen. Musharraf attained superannuation in his army job in October 2001, when the country was under army rule.

He performed the roles of President, Chief Executive and Army Chief. On October 7, 2001, the day on which American military launched operations in Afghanistan, he extended his service as Army Chief indefinitely.

In April 2002, he got himself `elected' President through a referendum.

His continuation as army chief became a major political issue after the October 2002 general elections.

Under the Constitution, the President cannot hold any other office of profit.

Agreement

Parliament was allowed to function by the Opposition in December 2003 only after Gen. Musharraf entered into an agreement with a conglomerate of religious parties to doff his uniform by end of 2004.

In return, the religious parties endorsed most of his controversial constitutional amendments and ratified his election as President through referendum.

There is no surprise in the decision of the Aziz Government to introduce the Bill to allow Gen. Musharraf retain his army job as in recent weeks the General has been saying his continuation is necessary to carry out the agenda of fighting terrrorism and holding talks with India. The Bill titled "President to hold another office Bill 2004" allows Gen. Musharraf to remain army chief despite his pledge 10 months ago to shed his uniform by December 31. "The Bill has been passed with a thumping majority," said the Information Minister, Sheikh Rashid.

No-trust

Angry Opposition members shouted "Go Musharraf Go" and gave notice of no-trust against the Speaker, Amir Husain, for his alleged partisan attitude. The Opposition parties, consisting of the 14-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), and the Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA) moved to the well of the House and protested vehemently to the Speaker as he ordered a quick voting on the bill.

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