PESHAWAR, Sept 9: The joint opposition in the NWFP Assembly stands divided on the question of president's uniform, lacking cohesiveness with which its component parties had joined hands against the MMA government.

PPP [formerly PPP (S)] and PML (Q) are supporting President Musharraf on the uniform issue, all other parliamentary groups are on the other side. The latter believe that a president in uniform is against the spirit of democracy and parliamentary system, if not unconstitutional following the passage of the 17th Amendment.

Interviews conducted with leaders of the opposition indicated that parliamentary groups forming alliance against the MMA in the provincial assembly were poles apart over the issue of uniform, exposing the vulnerability with which the leader of the combined opposition, Shahzada Gustasip, is leading a 55-member opposition bloc in a house of 124.

Mr Gustasip, an independent MPA from the Hazara region of NWFP, refused to comment on the issue when reached on telephone. However, leaders of other parliamentary groups in the opposition left little doubt about the opposition's predicament caused by their conflicting positions on the question.

They admitted that the combined opposition was unable to take a joint stand over the issue because of their parties' stated positions which were in sharp contrast to each other.

"We had decided to join the opposition bloc only to keep the MMA government in check and uphold the interests of the province by playing our constitutional role. Beyond that all groups in the joint opposition are free to go by their party line on important national issues," said Anwar Kamal Marwat, parliamentary leader of PML (N).

He said his party had a clear stand against President General Pervaiz Musharraf's decision to hold both the offices. "I will go by my party's line of action on this issue," Mr Marwat said.

Similar views were expressed by leaders of other parties that have joined hands inside the NWFP Assembly against a 69-strong parliamentary group of MMA. "Developing a consensus among different parties over the issue is not possible as every group is bound to abide by the stand adopted by its leadership," said Syed Murid Kazim, parliamentary leader of PPP [formerly PPP (Sherpao)].

He said that PPP and PML (Q) had a clear-cut policy in support of President Musharraf discharging dual responsibilities. "But other groups in the joint opposition have views different from ours, therefore, a consensus appears difficult to emerge," said Mr Kazim.

Haji Adeel of Awami National Party said the president's decision to hold two offices was undermining parliament and going against the spirit of the original constitution. "The constitution is very clear on the issue as a man who qualifies to be a member of parliament can become president," said Haji Adeel.

"Until Mr Musharraf sheds his army uniform and completes two years after retirement he can neither become member of parliament nor the head of state". Khawaja Yawar Naseer of PPPP said that his party had declined to accept the office of prime minister - following the October 2002 elections - because of its stated position against a president in uniform. Haji Adeel accused the MMA of helping President Musharraf to prolong his stay in both the offices by facilitating sm ooth passage of the 17th Amendment.