May 8, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 7: Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) chief Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan on Wednesday accused Gen Musharraf of causing irreparable damage to the national unity by resisting the opposition’s demand of annulment of the controversial Legal Framework Order (LFO).

Speaking at a news conference at the parliament lodges, the Nawabzada stoutly defended opposition’s stance on the LFO, saying that courage of the combined opposition should be appreciated as it was struggling for the supremacy and sovereignty of parliament, which in the immediate context would benefit only its political rivals, the present elected government.

He said the entire nation was united against what he called the infamous LFO and a uniformed president, and if challenged, its anger would spill over in the streets as the massive anti-US rallies recently had demonstrated, in which he said Gen Musharraf’s actions were condemned.

Asked to comment on president’s recent remarks that the opposition parties would not be able to bring the people out on the streets against the LFO, he said the rallies against the invasion of Iraq organised by the opposition had turned into anti-Musharraf rallies and the same could be repeated if needed.

Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, acting president of the PML-N and the party’s parliamentary leader in the lower house, was also present on the occasion.

The ARD chief said the opposition in the National Assembly and Senate had taken oath under the same 1973 Constitution which was held in abeyance by Gen Musharraf after the coup on Oct 12, 1999.

He said opposition’s stance had been endorsed by former speaker Elahi Bakhsh Soomro in his recent statement that he (Soomro) had administered oath to the members of lower house under 1973 Constitution which according to (Soomro) him was not polluted by the LFO.

He termed country’s foreign policy a total failure as President Gen Musharraf, he said, admitted that if Pakistan came under attack by external forces, no one would stand by her side.

He said the only way to save Pakistan from internal and external dangers was to reverse all the extra-constitutional steps and actions that the military government had initiated after it took over the government.

The veteran politician said that an extraordinary meeting of the ARD was summoned in Islamabad on May 9, to discuss and reach a consensus on the ongoing effort for the restoration of peace and resumption of talks with India.