KARACHI, July 7: The Pakistan People’s Party has claimed that Benazir’s decision to return home has so badly upset the government that every now and then orders and ordinances are being issued to block her return, party leaders said at a meeting organized by the party’s human rights cell here on Sunday.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah said such orders and ordinances could not stop Benazir Bhutto from returning home, as in the past Ziaul Haq had tried to take similar steps, but he failed in his attempts.

“These ordinances show the nervousness of the government as regards the outcome of the general elections,” he said.

“Let Gen Musharraf take whatever measures he likes, only PPP candidates would return to parliament where Benazir’s name would be proposed for the post of prime minister,” he added.

Prof N. D. Khan said: “The latest presidential order and the proposed amendments to the constitution show that Gen Musharraf and his colleagues want to see a hand-picked man as prime minister.”

Munawwar Suhrawardi said: The threat of arrest of Ms Bhutto cannot block her return as millions of people would accord her a grand welcome.”

Haji Muzaffar Shujra, Habibuddin Junedi and Fauzia Wahab also spoke at the meeting.

Leading political and religious parties criticized the government’s decision not to allow anyone third term as prime minister and chief minister, adds PPI.

They claimed that the decision was aimed at blocking the restoration of democracy.

The Central Information Secretary of the PPP, Taj Haider, condemned the decision. He claimed that the new presidential order was directed against his party and the chairperson of the party.

He alleged the government was trying to make dictatorship a part of the constitution, which would cause irreparable damage to the country.

He said Benazir Bhutto would soon return to the country to lead the election campaign “We are determined and committed to elect her prime minister for the third time.”

Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League PML (Nawaz), Ejaz Shafi, criticized the decision. He claimed that the presidential order was meant to keep popular leadership out of the political process.

“All the actions of the military regime are unconstitutional,” he maintained.

“The Supreme Court, in the Nawaz Sharif case of 1993, had held that according to article 17 of the constitution any person, who commands confidence of the majority of the members of parliament, cannot be disqualified by any sub-ordinate legislation,” he said.

The chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Sindh, Asadullah Bhutto, condemned the decision and described it as pre-election rigging.

He recalled events which led to the separation of East Pakistan and urged the government to learn from history.

Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, criticized the decision, claiming that the government had no powers to amend the constitution as only an elected parliament could take such important decisions.

He termed it an anti-people decision, claiming that the people would not be able to elect leaders of their own choice, because of this decision.

He expressed fears that the general election might be delayed.

The chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (QA), Mian Azhar, supported the government’s decision here at a press conference, describing it as a major step towards real democracy.

He, however, said the proposed procedure for dissolution of assemblies was not proper.

He said his party had constituted a committee to review the proposed constitutional amendments.