RAWALPINDI, May 20: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Tuesday voiced its stance on the disputed points of the Legal Framework Order (LFO), stressing that the constitutional amendment bill be put before parliament for debate.

Speaking at a meet-the-Press programme here at the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club, MMA leader Liaqat Baloch said the LFO was an unconstitutional way to bring amendments to the Constitution. It would make the Constitution disputable and result in a perpetual confrontation which he said could disrupt the whole system.

On the point of uniformed president, he said it was unconstitutional and Gen Musharaf should give a clear time frame for relinquishing the slot of army chief, not later than Aug 14.

Mr Baloch also termed the presidential referendum illegal and demanded that this process should be revised in a constitutional manner. The MMA, he said, could support Mr Musharaf as civilian president if the remaining controversial parts were removed.

The MMA leader also opposed the National Security Council to be part of the Constitution.

Inclusion of B in articles 58-2 and 112, which empowers the president and provincial governors to dissolve the national and provincial assemblies, was also unacceptable, he said.

He, however, agreed to their powers to dissolve the national and provincial cabinets in some specific crisis, with the condition that there would be no restrictions on parliament to re-elect the deposed premier and chief ministers if the latter desired so.

Amendments to articles 193,195 and 197, through the LFO was unconstitutional, which would destroy the institution of judiciary, he said and added that appointment and extension in the tenure of judges of the superior courts through the LFO was also unacceptable as this would harm the freedom of judiciary.

On the discretionary powers of president to appoint services chiefs, he said this discretion should be on the advice of the prime minister.