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| House joins to condemn Musharraf’s emergency
Anwer Abbas |
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| ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians have jointly condemned the imposition of emergency by former military dictator Gen. (retd) Pervez Musharraf and Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) introduced by him across the country.
Majority of the members from both the treasury and opposition benches led by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday put on black arm bands as a mark of protest against the emergency imposed on Nov 3, 2007.
Members of the National Assembly condemned all the November 3 actions and urged to promote and strengthen the democracy by expressing full solidarity and unity on national issues also saying that only a sovereign parliament can guarantee the democratic system.
From Treasury benches Syed Khurshid Shah, Minister for Labour and Manpower, was of the view that former premier Benazir Bhutto laid her life for the sake of democracy and to ensure protection of rights of common man by practically resisting the said actions.
He said Benazir Bhutto and other leaders did not compromise over their principles and faced exile and other actions unless restoration of democracy. He made an appeal to all political forces to pledge today to stay united for the sake of sustainable democracy and a strong Pakistan.
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan paid rich tribute to former prime minister and Chairperson PPP Benazir Bhutto and all those who laid down their lives for the restoration of democracy in the country.
Criticising the imposition of democracy by former president Musharraf, he said measures adopted by former military ruler were against the national interests.
Demanding the implementation of Charter of Democracy (COD) he said it would prove to be a great honour for Mrs Bhutto.
He also urged the government to try former President under Article-6 of the constitution and bring him before the court to set an example for his followers and also to ensure the sovereignty of Parliament.
He also appreciated the government's decision not to table the NRO before the National Assembly and expressed the hope that the government would continue to respect the mandate of the Parliament in future.
Later on PML-N parliamentarians also staged a rally outside parliament to condemn the imposition of emergency by former president and marched to the building of Supreme Court.
Addressing the rally Leader of Opposition, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Makhdoom Javed Hashmi reiterated their commitment to foil any attempt to reach power corridors through any future misadventure and expressed their complete solidarity with the judiciary. |
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