KARACHI, March 9: The Pakistan People’s Party has rejected the PML-Q claim that the PPP, by participating in recent polls under the Conduct of General Elections-2002, had accepted the controversial Legal Framework Order (LFO).

In a statement issued here on Sunday, the PPP’s acting secretary general, Mian Raza Rabbani, claimed that the PML-Q contention was ‘incorrect in fact and laws’. He said: “PPP had rejected and continues to oppose the LFO.”

He said that the party was committed to the principle that Constitution can only be amended through the procedure provided in its Article 238 and 239 and not by an individual. Giving reasons for opposing the LFO, he said that the Order sought to change the basic structure of the Constitution and infringes on sovereignty of parliament, and undermined its federal character. The LFO confers discretionary powers on president without any check and balance.

Mr Rabbani maintained that Supreme Court could not vest powers with an individual to amend the Constitution but even if the government’s argument was considered, the LFO transcended limitations laid down by the Supreme Court in sub-paragraphs (i) to (vii) of paragraph 6 of the Short Order dated May 12, 2000, he said.