ISLAMABAD, May 12: The government vowed on Thursday to challenge the Lahore High Court verdict barring President Asif Ali Zardari from holding political activities in the Presidency.

The verdict was issued at a time when Mr Zardari, who is also co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, is on an official visit to Russia.

Former law minister Babar Awan claimed that under the Constitution the president being part of parliament could take part in national politics.

“According to Article 50 of the Constitution, the president can take part in politics and as per clause-II of the same article parliament consists of three components -- National Assembly, Senate and President.”

Article 50 which defines the meaning of parliament says: “There shall be a Majlis-i-Shoora (parliament) of Pakistan consisting of president and two houses to be known, respectively, as National Assembly and Senate.”

Taking to reporters outside the Parliament House, Mr Awan said: “Before restricting the president to take part in politics, we have to bring him out from the definition of citizenship because constitutionally every citizen has a right to become a member of any political party.”

He said that people who had objection to president’s political status should wait till next elections. “Would it be called politics if the prime minister, chief ministers and the electoral collage meet the president in Presidency?” he asked.

Responding to a question, Mr Awan said US Senator Jan Kerry was scheduled to visit Islamabad and would his meeting with President Zardari be called politics. He said the government’s legal team would respond after going through the detailed judgment of the LHC.

When it was pointed out that former president Farooq Leghari had resigned from the party membership after taking oath of office, he said: “Mr Leghari resigned on his own despite the fact that he was not bound to do so under the Constitution.”

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “The PPP always respects court verdicts and we will give due respect to the high court order. But we are waiting for the detailed judgement so that we can take appropriate step. And, if required, we will challenge the verdict.”