ISLAMABAD, Sept 28: Terming the Supreme Court’s verdict in favour of the president ‘historic’, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a partner in the ruling coalition, on Friday urged Gen Pervez Musharraf to doff his uniform before the Oct 6 presidential election.

“It is our desire that Gen Musharraf should contest the election without uniform as there is no harm in it, and it will be a better situation,” said MQM parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar while talking to reporters after an Iftar-dinner hosted by the party for them here.

Mr Sattar said that party’s strategy for the presidential election would be finalised soon by the MQM Rabita Committee in London. He expressed the hope that the SC judgment would strengthen democracy and help end an uncertain situation in the country.

The MQM leader criticised the Jamaat-i-Islami for, what he called, attempting to pressurise the judiciary. He also condemned the JI workers for throwing rotten eggs and tomatoes on the Supreme Court building after the announcement of judgment.

The Iftar-dinner was attended by MQM ministers and MNAs, including Babar Ghouri, Shamim Siddiqui, Iqbal Mohammad Ali Khan and Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi.

Earlier, an MQM delegation called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and congratulated him on the SC verdict.

According to an official handout, the prime minister said the verdict had confirmed that Pakistan would continue on the path of progress and prosperity. He said the process of presidential election would be completed on Oct 6 in a peaceful and amicable manner.

He said the SC decision was in accordance with the law and Constitution, adding that opposition parties should accept it.