ISLAMABAD: Former Law Minister Babar Awan said Thursday that under the Constitution, president of the country is allowed to take part in national politics as being part of the Parliament.
“According to Article 50 of the Constitution, the president of the country can take part in the politics and as per clause-II of the same article Parliament consists of three components including National Assembly, Senate and President”.
The former law minister was commenting on the verdict of Lahore High Court ordering President Asif Ali Zardari to quit one of his two offices either presidency or the Co-chairmanship of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Babar Awan said according to 1973 Constitution, there was no restriction on president for taking part in politics.
He was of the view “before restricting president to take part in politics, we have to bring out president from the definition of citizenship as constitutionally, every citizen has right to become member of any political party”.
He said some elements are unhappy as in present circumstances they feel difficult to use presidency for unconstitutional act to fulfill their nefarious designs.
“The elements that have objection on the president's political character, should wait till the next elections,” said Babar Awan.
He said unfortunately since 1970, not a single Assembly entered its fourth parliamentary year as president used to dissolve it using his powers bestowed on him under 58-2B of the then constitution.
However, the former law minister said the PPP cannot be pressured as people of Pakistan have given it mandate and they are the real strength.
“If the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of the provinces and its electoral collage meet with President, would it be called politics,” he questioned.
To a question, Awan said US Senator John Kerry is schedule to reach Pakistan and questioned is his meeting with President would be also named as politics.
Babar Awan said the government's legal team would answer to questions after going through the detailed judgment. He said the country was passing through difficult circumstances so national issues should be taken seriously.
To another question, Awan said after becoming president, Farooq Laghari had resigned from the party membership on his own as he was not bound to do so under the constitution.
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