149 MPAs assure president of support: Sindh, Balochistan PAs
By Our Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI, Dec 29: President Gen Pervez Musharraf was assured by 149 out of 233 members of Sindh and Balochistan provincial assemblies that they would give him vote of confidence.
The president, who started direct contact with the members of the provincial assemblies on Monday, met the members of Sindh and Balochistan assemblies at the Camp Office at Rawalpindi.
Those who called on the president at his camp office comprised 105 MPAs from Sindh and 44 from Balochistan. The total number of seats in the Sindh Assembly is 168 and 65 in the Balochistan Assembly.
The president is expected to meet the members of provincial assemblies from Punjab and the NWFP on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the president will meet the members of the National Assembly and those of the Senate on Dec 31 at his camp office.
After explaining the achievements of his government, specially about economic condition of the country now and on Oct 12, 1999, the president asked the provincial legislators to exercise their right of vote “according to their conscience”, and keeping in view the interests of Pakistan. The president also asked the MPAs to rise above political considerations.
The president talked to the MPAs about country’s defence capabilities, and efforts under way for a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute. The president told the MPAs that his endeavour was and would be for raising the status of Pakistan in the comity of nations.
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar were also present in the meeting, attended by 105 members of the provincial assembly.
An official announcement said the president referred to the recent agreement between the government and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on the Legal Framework Order, and said he had taken decisions in the interest of democracy and the country.
The president said these decisions would impart stability to the democratic system.
The president, who is seeking vote of confidence from the electoral college under an agreement with the MMA, has taken the position that he considers himself as validly elected president of the country, and has agreed to vote of confidence
only for the sake of political harmony.
MEETING WITH MNAs: President General Pervez Musharraf will meet the members of the National Assembly on Dec 31 at his camp office in Rawalpindi, adds APP.
All the MNAs have been issued invitations through the National Assembly secretariat.
