International   

Benazir on collision course

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD July 26. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led by the former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, is all set for a confrontation with the Musharraf Government as Mrs. Bhutto has decided to stay on as the chairperson of PPP in defiance of the new rules framed by the Pakistan Election Commission.

Under the new rules, notified by the Commission on the basis of an ordinance promulgated by Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, a convicted person and a proclaimed offender is not eligible to be an office-bearer of a political party.

While communicating last week the new rules that require parties to complete internal elections by August 5, the EC had warned that the parties which do not fall in line would not be allotted symbols. According to the interpretation of senior functionaries of the military government, Mrs. Bhutto stands disqualified not only to contest elections but also to continue as chairperson of the party on more than one count.

The former Prime Minister, who lives in Dubai on a self-imposed exile, has been convicted in absentia by an accountability court in Rawalpindi. She was earlier declared a proclaimed offender for not responding to the summons of the court.

PPP however has questioned the validity of the conviction by the court and the interpretation of the managers of the Musharraf regime on her eligibility to continue as leader of the party. Though the party had said it would challenge the court conviction and the new rules imposed by the Musharraf regime, so far it has not moved any court.

The PPP on Thursday announced the schedule for party elections. Today was the last date for filing of nomination to the post of chairperson and the only nomination that was filed was on behalf of Mrs. Bhutto. Actually twice in the past the PPP had elected her as the `lifetime' chairperson of the party.

The other major party, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) led by the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, is on the horns of a dilemma about its political strategy. Though Mr. Sharif left Pakistan in December 2000 on exile along with his entire clan after a deal with the Musharraf regime, he continues to be the chief of the party.

There have been indications from the party circles that Mr. Sharif is prepared to relinquish the post and nominate one of his trusted lieutenants and wait for better days for his return to active politics. But with Mrs. Bhutto deciding to defy the military regime, the PML may be tempted to follow suit.

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

International

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• 15-year jail term for Suharto's son
• Militants attack Israeli bus with missile
• Terrorist violence still taking place: Powell
• Pak. Editor complains of threat to life
• Writs served on Omagh suspects
• Russia to speed up talks on WTO entry
• Britain's race panel chief charged in cricket row
• Powell urged to take up rights issue
• Benazir on collision course
• Chandrika starts ethnic reconciliation
• Sri Lankan soldier killed in crossfire
• No one can coerce Pak.: Musharraf

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu