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| April 17, 2002 | Wednesday | Safar 3, 142 |
Musharraf says risk calculated: No power-sharing with PM
ISLAMABAD, April 16: President Gen Pervez Musharraf here on Tuesday strongly defended the holding of referendum as “absolutely constitutional” and said necessary amendments were currently being contemplated to decide about the future political setup of the country.
He told a news conference that he had not decided whether to step down in case he did not get himself elected in the referendum.
“I have not thought about it so far (whether) to continue or step down in case I do not win this referendum. But I would say that I have taken a calculated risk and I am sure that I will win,” he said.
The president also stated in categorical terms that he will not leave the office of the chief of army staff even after having won the referendum. “You know the importance of uniform, therefore, I would not remove it.”
He hinted at the possibility of reducing the terms of the prime minister through a new constitutional reforms package. He said while a balance will
be struck in the powers of the president, the prime minister and the army chief, it would also be looked into whether the terms of the PM should be reduced.
Similarly, he said National Security Council (NSC) will be created to work as a watchdog and make sure that reforms process was not reversed and that there was real democracy in Pakistan.
However, he said his government had not finally decided about introducing new amendments to the constitution. “Once we have decided about it, we will go to the people to have their opinion,” he promised.
The president also sounded warning to those Nazims and Naib Nazims who were still showing their affiliation with various political parties. “Those who are doing so, are violating their oath and it will not be tolerated,” he stated.
Responding to a question, he said some people had gone to the higher courts against referendum and as such the matter was sub judice. Therefore, he would not like to say much about it.
Nevertheless, he made it clear that he would continue his referendum campaign till it was held on 30th of this month.
When asked as to why there was no opposition candidate in the referendum, he said he would have loved to have him or her, but then hastened to add: “There is only a provision in the constitution to seek an opinion of the people about any particular matter, therefore I am seeking that opinion which under article 48 of the constitution is very much legal and constitutional”.
The president rejected assertions that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were forced to leave the country. “As far as Ms Bhutto is concerned, she is welcome to come back but then she will have t