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Full bench formed to hear pleas against Emergency

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Abdul Hameed Dogar, on Tuesday constituted a 10-member full bench to hear two constitutional petitions challenging the state of Emergency proclaimed by President Pervez Musharraf.

The bench will begin hearing the petitions on November 15.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Federal government, Gen. Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to respond to the petitions.

It has also issued notice to Attorney General Malik Qayyum to assist the court in the matter.

Former provincial minister and senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Tikka Iqbal Muhammad Khan and the Watan Party filed the petitions challenging the Emergency rule and Provisional Constitutional Order issued by Gen. Musharraf to suspend fundamental rights.

Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad does not form part of the full court as he is on medical leave.

The strength of the apex court has been reduced from 17 to 12 after the Emergency and one slot is still vacant. Two retired High Court judges were sworn in on Tuesday by Mr. Dogar.

The former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday welcomed Ms. Bhutto’s call for Gen. Musharraf to resign and said the opposition should unite against the military ruler.

Mr. Sharif called for Ms. Bhutto and other opposition parties to work together for the restoration of top judges the General ousted when he declared a state of emergency on November 3.

“What I’m hearing on TV, her statements today that she has cut off all her links with Pervez Musharraf and wants him to resign from both offices, I think it is a positive development and a step toward achieving the objectives of the opposition,” he told The Associated Press by phone from Saudi Arabia where he lives in exile.

Mr. Sharif, who was ousted in a 1999 coup by Gen. Musharraf, said he had written to Ms. Bhutto three days ago offering to work together if she severed links with the General.

He wanted her to make clear what assurances she had sought from the military ruler in their negotiations.

“Let’s she how she replies and what she says,” he said. — PTI, AP

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