LAHORE, Nov 4: Gen Pervez Musharraf on March 9 tried to throw out only the chief justice, but he tried to sabotage the judiciary, the media and above all the Constitution on Nov 3, said Ahsan Iqbal of the PML-N on Sunday.

It showed that the declaration of emergency was a bigger crime than March 9, and the PML-N would give him a befitting reply through popular movement.

With the president accusing the judiciary of destabilising the country, Pakistan did not need any external enemy, he said.

“After seven-year absolute rule, against whom the general is complaining. In fact, he condemned himself with every word of the charge sheet.”

When he said that Pakistan was at stake, whom was he blaming except himself because he had been ruling the country with total power. It was tantamount to confession of failure, Ahsan said.

He said Gen Pervez Musharraf had staged a coup on Oct 12, 1999 to bring himself to power unconstitutionally. On Nov 3, he imposed the second martial law to perpetuate his illegal rule. Had it been emergency, it could have been declared under the Constitution. But, this extra-constitutional step would endanger the country’s solidarity, he feared.

The PML-N would resist this attempt to prolong his rule through every possible means, Ahsan Iqbal said.

“It is trying to contact other parties for finalising a joint political struggle against the usurpers.”

In 1971, one military ruler led to disintegration of the country in a bid to prolong his rule, he said, adding that in 2007 another army ruler is out to perpetuate his rule at the cost of the country’s integration.

“This is highly unfortunate.”

The PML-N leader said the party would stand by lawyers in their struggle and movement, which was aimed at saving the Constitution, the judiciary and media.