The Hindu : Musharraf moves face stiff resistance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 03, 2002

International

International

Musharraf moves face stiff resistance

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD July 2. The Musharraf Government is confronted with a challenge from the political and religious groups on the proposed amendments to the Constitution and the ordinance to regulate the religious schools. All major parties in the country have denounced the package of amendments as `unconstitutional and illegal'. Atleast two of the parties have approached the Supreme Court against the prescription of graduation as minimum qualification to contest in elections to the National and Provincial assemblies.

The ordinance promulgated a few days ago to regulate the functioning of the religious schools has fared no better. The majority of the religious parties and groups has denounced it as `un-Islamic' and threatened to take to the streets against it. The new law on religious schools makes it mandatory for them to register with a regulatory body, besides declaring their source of income.

In a bid to allay the fears of the religious groups, the Government is believed to have convened a conference of representatives of religious organisations on July 4.

In another development, the Awami National Party (ANP) has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan challenging the decision of the Musharraf Government to make graduation as the minimum qualification to contest election to the National and Provincial Assemblies.

The Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam), considered to be close to the military establishment, has filed a similar petition in the apex court.

The ANP petition, filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, prayed the court to examine the question of insertion of Article 8 in the Conduct of General Election Order, 2002, requiring a citizen, aspiring to be a member of National Assembly, Senator or member of Provincial Assembly, to have educational qualification of B.A or equivalent.

The ANP is of the view that by inserting Article 8A, the military Government has gone beyond its mandate which the Supreme Court granted and the condition was tantamount to amending salient features of the Constitution.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Russian pilot's error led to collision?

LTTE to help restore normality in east

U.S. surveillance equipment for Pak.

Real IRA `wants' to give up

S. Korea warns North against intrusion

Fossett completes solo balloon quest

U.S. mission to probe civilian deaths in Afghanistan

Labour MPs call for end to Afghan bombing

Musharraf moves face stiff resistance

Hoon meets Afghan officials

UJC 'warning' to Hurriyat