ISLAMABAD, June 19: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said here on Saturday that General Pervez Musharraf's conduct as president was aboveboard and that it was his prerogative as part of parliament to summon any individual member or a group of legislators for consultations.

Addressing a news conference at his parliament house chamber, the premier disagreed with the notion that the presidency had become a centre of conspiracies, and said: "I have already said that the president was aboveboard and like his predecessors he also has a constitutional right to use the presidential chamber in the Parliament House."

He dispelled the impression that he as the chief executive had been bypassed by the president by holding meetings with the members of parliament and in carrying out military operation in Wana.

Ruling out the possibility of setting up of military courts, he said: "No such proposition has been discussed or mentioned by anyone but we certainly want to revamp and improve the performance of anti-terrorist courts in our fight against terrorism."

Reiterating his stance about the demand of amendment/repeal of Hudood Ordinance, Mr Jamali said no law repugnant to Islam could be enacted in the country, and added that as far as manmade laws were concerned these could be presented in parliament for debate and amendments if desired by majority.

To a query about the president's desire for amending the Hudood law and the possibility of existence of some dissent within the ruling party, particularly in view of female MNA Kishmala Tariq's statement,

Mr Jamali said: "Every party member has the right to differ but final decision will be that of the party and its allied groups."

To a query about the APNS advertisements and letters addressed to him and the president in these ads against implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award, Mr Jamali said: "I have discussed this issue with information minister Sheikh Rashid and we are working on a blueprint to resolve it."

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...