The Hindu : Front Page : Musharraf set for second term as President

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Friday, Jan 19, 2007
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Musharraf set for second term as President

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Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf appears set for a second term with the Government deciding to seek his re-election, but it remains unclear whether he will quit as Army chief.

Ending months of speculation, the Cabinet decided on Wednesday to seek General Musharraf's re-election for another five-year term by the national and provincial Assemblies before they are dissolved in November. The decision drew sharp criticism from Opposition parties, which termed it as "unconstitutional, undemocratic and unethical" and vowed to prevent his re-election.

Hardline Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal leader Liaquat Baloch said, "We will make every effort to stop the re-election of Musharraf."

Spokesman Farhatullah Babar of the Pakistan People's Party, headed by the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, said, "It is a mockery of democracy to say that a Parliament in its dying days has the right to impose on the people a President for the next five years when it is not in place."

Announcing the Cabinet's decision, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durani said, "Hopefully, the present Assemblies will complete their term, and since the tenure of the President expires on November 15, his re-election will be sought from the present Assemblies in accordance with constitutional provisions." Mr. Baloch of the Jamat-e-Islami, said the Government's decision would bring Opposition parties closer for a joint struggle against dictatorship. — PTI

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