ISLAMABAD Nov 16: The political leadership was divided over the legality of the Legal Framework Order (LFO) when the National Assembly met for oath taking on Saturday.

Chaudhry Shujaat the parliamentary leader of the pro-Musharraf PML-Q termed the criticism on LFO trivial thing which has no weightage.

Apart from what the MNAs elect raised objections on point of orders in the House the leaders of MMA, PML-N and PPP unanimously stated that with the installation of the National Assembly, the 1973 Constitution has been restored as it was on Oct 12, 1999.

Parliamentary leader of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Qazi Hussain Ahmed claimed that the members had taken oath under 1973 Constitution to which the LFO was alien and unacceptable as part of Constitution.

He said parliament will review all the acts and laws which have been framed during the last three years and give legal status after discussion or will reject which were unacceptable.

He reiterated the demand from President Musharraf to quit the post of chief of army staff immediately as in his opinion the oath that he had taken on Saturday has no status in the Constitution unless the parliament endorses it.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi acting president of the PML-N described the LFO as encroachment on the Constitution which has to be removed as soon as the parliament starts its proceedings.

He said the elected parliament has inherited powers like the Supreme Court to annul anything alien to the Constitution and it will do its duty.

Maulana Fazlur Rahman, MMA’s candidate for prime minister said: “We do not accept amendments in the Constitution and will continue our struggle to undo them.

He said, we are the voice of the opposition and will perform our role in the parliament if we do not find our objectives fulfilled while sitting in the government.

Faisal Saleh Hayat the leader of the PPP forward bloc said: “if we can contest local government polls and general elections under LFO there was no reason for us to raise our fingers against it now”.