LAHORE, Sept 28: All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) leaders have expressed their disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision of allowing Gen Pervez Musharraf to run for the presidency while retaining his army office and said taking to the streets was the only option left with the opposition.

Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said in a press statement, released by the Lahore PTI office, the judiciary had chosen to revive the doctrine of necessity by yielding to pressure instead of going by the Constitution. He said people expected the Supreme Court to decide constitutional petitions challenging the eligibility of Gen Musharraf on merit and in the light of the provisions of the basic law of the country.

“Our options have been made limited, so we expect people to rise against the dictatorial regime and support the opposition in realising the goal of a democratic Pakistan as spelled out by the APDM,” he appealed to people.

Jamaat-i-Islami MNA Hafiz Salman Butt told a news conference the APDM was prepared for every eventuality and since the Supreme Court had left the only option with the opposition to take to the streets.

He said that the judiciary had not only thrown a “bombshell” on people but also made the choice of the opposition limited.

Also the APDM Lahore president, Mr Butt said the Pakistan Muslim League-Q should not rejoice the decision because it was bound to lose the “real contest” (parliamentary elections) in a humiliating way. He appealed to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to join hands with the opposition. He said by doing so the PPP would win the support of people and rid it of dependence on Washington to get into power. —Correspondent