January 08, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 17, 1427

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LAHORE, Jan 7: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan Niazi insists that Ms Benazir Bhutto’s PPP will support President Musharraf in his election for another term, but rules out the possibility of the ruling coalition extending cooperation to do away with the provision which bars a twice-elected former prime minister from going for a third term.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, the minister said the ruling party apprehended that the lifting of ban on somebody to become the head of government for a third time could turn the political system upside down as it could pave the way for the PPP’s partnership in power. The ruling party, he said, would not like such a situation to arise.

For the time being, the minister said, Ms Bhutto was not eligible to become even a member of the National Assembly, let alone the prime minister.

As for her eligibility to contest the election of the president, which many PPP leaders say Ms Bhutto is qualified to, the minister said it would not be possible unless, under Article 63(1)(p) of the constitution, the relevant presidential order was amended.

According to him, before thinking of contesting the election for the top office, the exiled PPP leader would have to go to jail for three years. “It’s a must”.

He said Ms Bhutto could be allowed to come back to Pakistan after about two more years, and that too if her party supported Gen Musharraf in the election.

On her return, he said, Ms Bhutto would have to face all cases pending against her.

Although the minister is contradicted by his colleagues in the government as frequently as he speaks, he said President Musharraf would seek reelection from the present assemblies between Sept 15 and Oct 15 this year if the legislature completed its term.

But in case the National Assembly was dissolved before the completion of its term, the president would have to get elected from the new houses within 30 days of its coming into existence. The assemblies, he said, would complete their five-year term.

The president’s five-year term, he said, would expire on Nov 15.

When asked why the president was not willing to seek reelection from the new assemblies, as being demanded by opposition parties, Dr Afgan said it was not the president’s prerogative to take the decision.

Answering another question, he said under Article 44 (2) of the constitution, Gen Musharraf was qualified to seek reelection despite his military uniform.

As for Gen Musharraf retaining his military uniform during his next term in the presidency, he said it would be made possible by re-endorsing the Holding of Two Offices Act, as was done for his current term.

He did not agree with the suggestion that the next presidential election could not be a level playing field for all contestants as ordinary people could not think of winning against a serving general, no matter how popular they were.

Dr Niazi said it was for the voters to decide whether to support the general or any other candidate against him, and nobody could be forced to cast his vote against his will.

The incumbent Chief Election Commissioner, he said, had the reputation of the most honest judge and he would ensure free and fair polls.

According to the minister, those expressing doubts about the fairness of the elections, general or presidential, were in fact accepting their defeat before actually facing the contest.