Musharraf 'will exit in days, not months': Telegraph

[mujahideen]

Nisar warns against bid to weaken president

GILGIT, March 1: Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon said on Saturday that President Pervez Musharraf respected the public mandate and power would be transferred to the new government.

Addressing members of the Northern Areas Legislative Assembly, the minister warned that “the president is a symbol of federation and any bid to weaken him would (be) tantamount to destabilising the federation”.

He said that whichever group or party achieved majority in the National Assembly would be facilitated once the notification of the MNAs-elect was issued by the Election Commission.

Mr Memon said that President Musharraf had been democratically elected and he would hold the post for five years.

He said that government formation was an obligation of political parties and because no political party had won a clear majority, talks were under way between the political parties to achieve that target.

Hailing the consultations to form the government, he said that political leadership was taking the political process ahead in a responsible manner.

Nisar warns against bid to weaken president -DAWN - Top Stories; March 02, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

ISPR, presidency deny resignation reports

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The official spokesman of the Pakistan Army, the President’s House and close aides of President Musharraf on Monday night refuted reports circulated by a private news agency that President Musharraf has been asked to resign and he may do so in two or three days.

The reports had started circulating in the media after the meeting of Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani with President Musharraf. A private news agency SANA later issued a detailed report claiming that it had authentic information but within hours the report was retracted by the agency. ISPR spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told The News there was no truth in these reports. Similarly the spokesman for the Presidency, Maj General (retd) Rashid Qureshi also denied the reports. A close aide of the president told Ansar Abbasi that these reports had no truth.

ISPR, presidency deny resignation reports

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf hints at contacts with PPP

* Assures PML-Q MPAs of Centre’s help in completion of uplift projects even if PML-N forms government in Punjab

By Azaz Syed

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has hinted at the formation of a coalition government of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Punjab. During his meeting with a 15-member group of MPAs-elect of the Punjab Assembly at President’s House on Saturday, Musharraf said that efforts were on to form a coalition government of PML-Q and PPP in the Punjab to ensure continuity of the ongoing development projects, especially in the constituencies of PML-Q MPAs. Talking to Daily Times, an MPA who attended the meeting, quoted the president as saying that the leaderships of both PPP and PML-Q were in contact with him and he was striving to cobble together an alliance of both parties for continuation of his policies. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Hamid Nasir Chattha led the MPAs, while another group of 15 PML-Q MPAs will meet him in the next few days. “President Musharraf has assured us that development projects in our constituencies would not stop even if PML-N made the government in the Punjab,” the MPA said. Party sources said President Musharraf assured full support of the Centre to the MPAs for completion of development works in their constituencies. They said the president looked confident and he did not discuss the opposition’s demands for his resignation. Musharraf is also likely to meet PML-Q MPAs-elect of Balochistan Assembly shortly. The sources said the basic purpose of the meeting was to keep the MPAs associated with the PML-Q and to clarify the rumours about his ouster. Presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi confirmed Musharraf’s meetings with PML-Q MPAs saying that the president was meeting the politicians “at their request”. Asked why being a neutral head of the state the president met PML-Q parliamentarians, he said, “Whosoever requests the president for meeting, he would meet him.”

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf faces angry tea party

By Muhammad Ahmad Noorani

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf surprised a group of PML-Q senators by appearing without notice at their tea party with caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, but had to face unexpected criticism from many angry senators who blamed him for the election rout of the party.

The senators had gathered at the Prime Minister House for a tea party given to the allies of the PML-Q in the Senate. Some 40 senators showed up amid reports that the PPP and the PML-N were planning to unseat the Senate chairman and replace him with their own candidate.

Soomro, who will revert to his Senate post once the new government is formed, wanted to know whether any more PML-Q senators were thinking of joining the forward bloc. But the total number of senators gathered at the meeting was far less than 51, which is the number needed by Soomro to stay in his office.

President Musharraf's surprise to the senators had a mixed reaction though he was quoted by several TV channels as saying that he patted the defeated PML-Q on the back and encouraged it not to lose heart.

One TV report said the president even quoted the total number of votes obtained by the PML-Q and its previous coalition partners in the elections to assert that the alliance had received the highest number of votes. This figure was recently repeated several times by PML-Q Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain Sayed to reassure the defeated party leaders that the PML-Q was still a potent force.

Analysts said the president was worried that if the Zardari-Nawaz alliance took over the Senate chairmanship from Soomro, the coalition would come dangerously close to entering the Presidency because the Senate chairman always served as the acting president whenever needed.

In such a situation, an acting president could create havoc with the powers of the Presidency if he got sufficient time to stay there. The real surprise of the Musharraf’s visit was the criticism he had to face as senator after senator got up to blame him for the party’s colossal collapse at the polls.

Senator Kulsoom Perveen told The News many senators complained that the president had left the party alone and did not support them during the election, which resulted in their humiliating defeat.

"You could have controlled the fake crisis of flour, electricity and gas created by the establishment just to defeat us," Perveen quoted senators as telling Musharraf. However, she said Musharraf made an impressive speech on the occasion and told the PML-Q senators to not lose heart over the defeat and remain united in the opposition.

"You people could play a positive role while being in the opposition and your role will strengthen the institutions," she quoted the president as saying during the tea party. Senator Tariq Azeem, who resigned on Tuesday from his party office, told this correspondent that the PML-Q senators were invited to tea by the caretaker prime minister and the arrival of President Musharraf was a surprise. He admitted that the PML-Q senators criticised the president for not supporting them during the elections.

But, he said Musharraf defended him by saying that being the president, it was his duty to remain impartial and, as such, he did not support any party. Azeem quoted the president as saying that there were always ups and downs in politics.

"Our seats are less but we got higher number of votes," Azeem quoted him as saying. While responding to a question by this correspondent, Azeem said: "On seeing the body language of President Musharraf, it was not apparent that he will quit the Presidency soon." He said it was the first meeting of the president with the senators after the elections.

He admitted that the meeting of President Musharraf with the senators of a specific party was not a right step at this crucial stage as he represented the federation. However, at the same time, he said the president could meet the members of any party but if they did not want to meet him, it was not the president's fault.

Azeem also said that there had been many meetings of political leaders with the president, which the media had not been able to find out. He, however, did not mention the name of the leaders who secretly met the president.

Senator Muhammad Nasir Mengal said that President Musharraf talked about general things and told the PML-Q senators that he had fulfilled his promise to hold free and fair elections and that he was looking forward to working with the new government for the next five years. He said the president told the senators that he had been elected for the next five years and that he would continue and would complete his term.

PML-Q Senator from Balochistan Mohabbat Khan Marri told The News that the president agreed with their complaint that one of the major reasons for the PML-Q’s defeat was the price-hike. He said the PML-Q senators took advantage of the situation and opened their hearts, telling Musharraf that he had failed to cooperate with the party at a difficult time.

Senators Saeed Hashmi and former information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani told The News that they were not present in the meeting. Meanwhile, sources told The News that more than 10 PML-Q senators were absent.

Rehana Yahya Baloch told The News that the president mainly stressed on maintaining unity during the difficult time. She said the PML-Q got the highest number of votes so it would remain united in the opposition and would not favour any move to repeal the Article 58-2(B).

Rehana also admitted that in the present scenario, the address of the president to the PML-Q senators was not a good democratic tradition but she said the president did not convince them to favour him during any move in the house against him. "It was simply a tea party and a get together with the outgoing prime minister where the president also showed up."

Musharraf faces angry tea party

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf has to get trust vote

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: Tripartite alliance of the PPP, PML-N and ANP Tuesday, while finalising the nitty-gritty for formation of the government at the Centre, decided to move a resolution in the very first session of the National Assembly, asking President Pervez Musharraf to seek vote of confidence from parliament.

The decision was taken during a meeting between PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and top PML-N leaders, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Ishaq Dar and Khawaja Asif here at the Zardari House on Tuesday evening.

Beside the PML-N delegation, chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rahman also joined the meeting. The deliberations lasted about one hour and the PML-N was persuaded to become part of the cabinet.

Sources said the PML-N did not give any positive reply on joining the cabinet but they have indicated that a decision in this regard would be taken in the next meeting that is likely to be held today (Wednesday).

However, there was a consensus among all the allied parties that the three resolutions would be adopted in the first NA session i.e. to probe the assassination of Benazir Bhutto through United Nation commission, apologise to the people of Pakistan for the hanging of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and ask President Pervez Musharraf to take a vote of confidence from parliament.

The sources also indicated that the PML-N agreed to a proposal that the next governor of Punjab after the formation of the government will be from the PPP.Meanwhile, talking to newsmen outside Zardari House after the meeting, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said it was an informal meeting to finalise the basics for the formation of government. “More meetings will follow this meeting to give a final shape to formation of the government,” he added.

He said that all the major steps have been finalised and now only the modalities were being completed for unexplored areas. “There is no major issue or obstacle remaining in the formation of the government,” he added. Chaudhry Nisar said the PPP, PML-N and ANP stand united and will jointly take decisions on all national issues.

Musharraf has to get trust vote

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf bucks up PML-Q, allied senators

Wednesday, March 05, 2008
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday asked the senators of the former ruling alliance to keep unity in their ranks and get ready for new role of opposition in the Parliament with a focus in the Senate, where they have a majority.

The president made these remarks during a meeting with the senators of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and their allied parties at a tea party hosted by caretaker Prime Minister Muhammedmian Soomro at his residence on Tuesday.

The two Senators, Wali Muhammad Badini of Q-League and Asif Jatoi of the NPP, who are part of the six-member forward bloc in the Senate, were also present.

The meeting was held immediately after a luncheon meeting of the parliamentary party of the former ruling alliance comprising PML-Q, MQM, PML-F and National People's Party.

According to sources, it was a get-together that was hosted in the honour of senators of Q-League and its parties in which Musharraf was also invited.

Source said that during the meeting, the political situation also came under discussion.

The sources said that President Musharraf spoke for 15 minutes to the parliamentary party of the former ruling alliance in the Senate and asked them not to loose heart with the defeat but keep unity in their ranks for the future of the country. "In the Senate you still hold the majority and now have to play your role," he told the senators.

According to the sources, the president said that he has fulfilled his promise of free, fair and transparent elections in the country and he was ready to keep a working relationship with the new government.

The sources said Musharraf told the Q-League and its allies that though they did not get the majority to form the government, they got larger chunk of votes in the recent elections in comparison with the PPP and PML-N.

Musharraf bucks up PML-Q, allied senators

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf pins hopes on rivalry of unnatural partners

Wednesday, March 05, 2008
By Shakil Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf is hopeful that the new National Assembly would not be able to pass a resolution against him even with a simple majority as long as Zardari-led Pakistan People's Party remains indifferent to any "get Musharraf" move.

"No problem, the president is safe as long as the PPP does not support the 'oust-Musharraf, restore-CJ' agenda of Nawaz Sharif," a source close to the president told The News on Tuesday.

Background interviews and lengthy talks with several aides and those close to President Musharraf reveal that there is no panic over reports of new coalition at the Centre and in the provinces.

"To the best of our knowledge, the PPP is not on board against the president and on restoration of sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry," said one such source.

As these people are frequently holding meetings with the president at his Rawalpindi Camp Office, these sources agreed that the president was not worried at all and he was more than willing to see the transition completed with the new assemblies and new administration at the Centre and in the provinces. One close presidential aide said that Asif Ali Zardari was not only playing safe but he had not shown any interest in the agenda set out by stubborn Nawaz Sharif and his N-League colleagues, including his brother Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ishaq Dar and others. "Asif Zardari is not ready to support the single-point agenda of Nawaz Sharif to restore the sacked chief justice and then complete its mission of get-Musharraf," said the source. "Being the captain of the team, Asif Zardari is not ready to take dictation from his vice-captain Nawaz Sharif." As intense politicking is going on, the pressure exerted by Nawaz Sharif on Asif Zardari to get "Remove Musharraf Resolution" passed from the new assembly and restore the sacked chief justice either through an executive order or by a resolution from the assembly, has made no headway.

"People including Asif Zardari are puzzled that the man who helped attack the Supreme Court is currently pursuing a one-point agenda of restoring the sacked CJ...they are also amazed that Nawaz Sharif has a one-point agenda of getting the sacked chief justice restored and not the independence of judiciary," said another aide to the president.

Zardari has apparently made up his mind to take the issue to the parliament where people like Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Imran Khan will have no presence at all. More so, lawyers and civil society representatives will also be sitting out of the parliament and will not be part of any decision.

The broad-based thinking in the PPP camp is that the party would not gain anything from removing the president and restoring the sacked chief justice, as in both cases the net gainer would be the Sharifs. These sources base their argument on the fact that no one can give guarantee that after the restoration, the chief justice would not take any decision against the PPP government or its leaders.

"No one can give this guarantee and it simply means that the restoration of the chief justice would bring disaster to the PPP and this is the real game plan of Nawaz Sharif and the company," said the source. In so many words, one source has confirmed that Zardari has already indicated that he would not be interested to be a part of any 'get-Musharraf' move.

Zardari has been carefully analysing the situation with a broader sense and working on the lines of gaining for a longer period of time without caring for the short-term gains.

Many PPP leaders apprehend that if the president was removed from the office, Nawaz Sharif and company would start a move to bring down the PPP government by using the forum of superior judiciary after getting the sacked chief justice restored.

"Primarily, we have not fought the elections on the promises of removing Musharraf and restoring the chief justice...we have our own agenda and politics which we have the right to pursue," said one PPP leader.

Some PPP leaders say that the party members would not take part in any move by the N-League to table "oust Musharraf" or "restore CJ" resolutions.

The Nawaz camp strategy is to first get the chief justice restored followed by disqualification of the president by the restored chief justice and then wage a war against Asif Zardari's PPP to ultimately capture the centre. That explains why Sharif does not want to join the PPP government, though he is ready to extend support to the PPP in the National Assembly.

"Mere running the central administration is enough to discredit the PPP at the Centre," said an N-League stalwart. Some PPP leaders say that taking side with Musharraf and saving him from being removed would not be a popular decision but that would not be as bad as falling into the trap laid down by Nawaz Sharif.

The PPP leaders think that winning the support of the president would yield three benefits: first, promoting party interest and enjoying full powers; second, saving the system from being brought down; and three, to keep distance from Nawaz Sharif who has not given up his habit of picking up fight with every Army Chief, the judiciary, and the presidency since the demise of General Ziaul Haq in August 1988.

One top PPP leader said that Zardari would play safe till his son --- Bilawal Zardari Bhutto -- completes his education and becomes eligible to contest elections. "No one is trying to create a rift between Zardari and Sharif but they have their own divergent political agendas," said a presidential aide.

Musharraf pins hopes on rivalry of unnatural partners

 

[mujahideen]

80% newly elected parliamentarians ready to work with president:Qureshi

ISLAMABAD, Mar 5 (APP):As many as 80 percent recently elected parliamentarians are ready to work with the constitutionally elected President Pervez Musharraf,President’s Spokesman Major General ® Rashid Qureshi said Wednesday.

Talking to a private TV channel Dawn News he said only former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif who himself is not elected and also his party represents only 20 percent population is clamouring against the President on various TV channels.

President Pervez Musharraf is elected for five years. There is a constitutional procedure by which opinion can be voiced once assemblies are in session.Indeed it is premature to talk about what happen or what may not happen and for response from the president, he told while replaying to a question.

Regarding rumours of cancellation of presidents’ participation in OIC meeting due to be held on March 13th and 14th,he said final decision has yet to be taken is this regard.

He said political parties have full authority to make alliances.

They are busy nowadays to form governments in centre and in the provinces. The president is required to be here in country on such important occasion.
However, final decision to participate in OIC meeting would be taken within a next few days.

app - 80% newly elected parliamentarians ready to work with president:Qureshi

 

[mujahideen]

President does not require vote of confidence from parliament: SM Zafar

ISLAMABAD, Mar 6 (APP): Senator and constitutional expert S. M Zafar Thursday said that President Pervez Musharraf does not require vote of confidence from the newly elected parliament.Talking to a private television (Express News) the Senator said the matter is related to Prime Minister as newly elected prime minister has to take vote of confidence from the parliament.

So, the President was not bound to take vote of confidence from the parliament, he added.

To a question about judiciary, he said parliament has the mandate to discuss the judicial issue and hopefully it would settle the matter amicably.

He said the general elections were held in free, fair and peaceful atmosphere. No party was able in achieving simple majority in the centre and definitely there would be coalition government, he added.

He urged politicians to promote culture of tolerance and reconciliation in the society to further strengthen democratic norms in the country.

app

 

[mujahideen]

Nawaz urges President Pervez to quit

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif said all efforts aimed at sabotaging the public mandate have been foiled, adding President Musharraf now had better to quit office after the people.

Nawaz Sharif said this while talking to the policy group of the party here.

PML-N chief said following the conclusive decision given by the people, now no one can obstruct the constitution, democracy and judiciary, adding the political supporters of President Musharraf have led the nation to a very disgraceful end and all efforts for reinvigorating them have failed to fructify.

Nawaz Sharif said the composite government of N-League, People’s Party and ANP would put an end to the dictatorship through constitutional reforms.

Nawaz Sharif maintained that his party is sincerely making efforts to form a coalition government of democratic forces.

Nawaz urges President Pervez to quit

 

[mujahideen]

Hillary to reverse pro-Musharraf policies

LAHORE: US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said on Friday that after coming to power she would reverse President Bush’s pro-Musharraf policies and would play a role in improving ties between Pakistan and India. Geo News quoted her as saying that President Bush had ignored key Pakistani political leaders and the civil society during the last seven years, relying on one man. She said the February 18 elections were a clear indicator to the US that it should change its policies towards Pakistan. daily times monitor

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

Musharraf should accept rejection by nation, says Fazal

PESHAWAR: Leader of Jamiaat Ulama-i-Islam(JUI) Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has said President Musharraf should accept that the nation has rejected him. Talking to media after JUI meeting here on Saturday, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said that the meeting reviewed revival of Muttahida Majlis Amal(MMA) and vowed to support this platform if it would play active role in future. Fazl-ur-Rehman said that if Jamaat-i-Islmai had not boycotted the polls, we would have been in process of making government in Frontier. Commenting on President Musharraf’s remarks about defeat of extremists in current elections, Fazal said the President should accept that the nation has also rejected him and his supporters.

Courtesy Geo