|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
Pakistan government is considering to scrap a ban on politicians becoming prime ministers for a third time, a move which is expected to benefit former Premier Benazir Bhutto.
Bhutto has been demanding such a concession from President Pervez Musharraf.
It is also contemplating suspension of local mayors amid apprehensions expressed by opposition parties that the upcoming January 8 general election could be rigged, Attorney General Malik Qayyum said here today.
When asked whether the government was thinking of scrapping the two-term limit for prime ministers, Qayyum told Dawn News Channel ”it is under consideration and now it is for the President to decide.”
However, he said he did not know when a decision would be taken on the matter.
The move to remove the bar on third time prime ministers is expected to benefit Bhutto, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief, but not her political rival Nawaz Sharif of PML-N who has been disqualified from contesting the polls. Both Bhutto and Sharif have held the post twice in the past.
Qayyum also said that the issue of the suspension of the local mayors ”is under the active consideration of the government and a decision is to be taken today or tomorrow.”
When asked why such a move was being considered, Qayyum said ”there were some parties that expressed apprehensions that representatives of the local governments were using their position and influence for the upcoming elections and this was not fair.”
Qayyum also said the government was not considering any changes to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), promulgated by Musharraf on October 5 giving amnesty to Bhutto in graft cases and paving the way for her return from self-exile.
He said a petition challenging NRO was with the Supreme Court and that he would defend the law when the matter comes up for hearing.
Leaders of almost all parties, including PML-N and PPP, welcomed Qayyum’s remarks on suspension of local mayors and lifting of the ban on third time premiers.
But MQM said it would take up the matter of local mayors with the President and urge him not to go ahead with the plans to suspend them ahead of the elections.
