ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: The Constitution bars President Gen Pervez Musharraf from contesting presidential polls, even if he leaves his military post. This was stated by leader of the Pakistan People’s Party Babar Awan while speaking at a press conference here on Thursday. He said that Gen Musharraf had already taken oath as head of the state twice and the Constitution barred anyone from assuming office for more than two consecutive terms.

He said the relaxation under the Legal Framework Order had expired on Nov 15, 2005, making Article 63 of the Constitution operational. He said even if Gen Musharraf resigned from the post of Chief of the Army Staff, he would have to wait for two years to become eligible for contesting presidential poll.

He said the outgoing assemblies could not elect the president for another term.

Commenting on the government’s performance during the outgoing year, he said the government had failed on all fronts. He said the year witnessed sky-rocketing increase in prices of essential commodities, adding that the rise in prices had ranged between 30 per cent and 325 per cent. Rejecting the government’s claim that inflation had been contained between 6 and 8 per cent, he said it was somewhere between 13 and 15 per cent.

Citing Transparency International’s rejection of government’s claims about poverty elimination and reduction in corruption, he said it was the first time that international institutions had rejected government claims. He said that half of the country’s population was now living below the poverty line.

He said contrary to government claims, there was no increase in electricity generation capacity and it was not likely that it could be increased over the next three years, adding that the power shortage would result in long-term load-shedding.

Referring to the housing sector, Mr Awan said there was an immediate need for 3.5 million houses, but the government did not have any plan for the low- and middle-income groups, adding that 11 colonies had been set up in different parts of the country for the privileged class with the help of land mafia.

He said the government had failed to provide any relief to the fixed income group and the salaried class, adding that despite several announcements, no package had been unveiled for them.

He said the government’s failure on the law and order front was evident from the fact that street crime had registered 350 per cent increase during one year.

He said that people’s purchasing power had been reduced by 30 to 40 per cent.