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LAHORE, April 15: The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) on Monday announced support for referendum as one of the component parties differed from the decision.
The Jamaat-i-Islami (Maudoodi group), however, will stay in the GDA fold.
Alliance president Hamid Nasir Chattha, while briefing newsmen after the meeting, said the decision to support the referendum was taken in the ‘larger national interest.’
“We do not want a clash between the army and the masses as it will benefit only the enemy.”
He said Gen Musharraf was already president and ‘compromise’ (with him) was the only way to put the country back on track of democracy.
Admitting that the election of the president through a referendum was unconstitutional, he said practically democracy could be restored only by avoiding any clash (between the army and the political forces).
Moreover, Mr Chattha added, whatever had been done or would be done between Oct 12, 1999 and Oct 12, 2002 would have to be ratified by the parliament.
He said no one should create any hurdle in the holding of general elections as it would delay the process of restoration of democracy.
Mr Chattha said many of his friends who were now opposing the referendum had been supporters of such moves by the past rulers. “I am ready to say this at all fora,” he concluded.
QADRI: A referendum is prohibited neither in Islam nor by the constitution, Pakistan Awami Tehrik chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference here, he went on to say that “Hazrat Usman was elected through a similar process.” When he was asked whether the caliphs had also lobbied for their election like President Musharraf, he advised the questioner “not to bring Islam into each and every thing.” “This,” he warned could lead to “many problems.”
About the constitution, he said the parliament was the guardian of the constitution. Once it started approving constitutional amendments in five minutes and rulers took to attacking the judiciary, its sanctity could not be protected.
When he was asked whether the PAT would accept a president in uniform, he said the party had no objection to a president in uniform or in shervani.
